Master
2021/2022
Political Policy in Agricultural Economics
Category 'Best Course for Career Development'
Category 'Best Course for Broadening Horizons and Diversity of Knowledge and Skills'
Category 'Best Course for New Knowledge and Skills'
Type:
Elective course (Agrarian Economics)
Area of studies:
Economics
Delivered by:
Institute for Agrarian Studies
Where:
Faculty of Economic Sciences
When:
2 year, 3 module
Mode of studies:
offline
Open to:
students of all HSE University campuses
Master’s programme:
Аграрная экономика
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
3
Contact hours:
40
Course Syllabus
Abstract
Political Economy of public policy centres on the theoretical, as well as the empirical aspects of political economy (economics of public choice). Political economy, as a discipline, can be best described as an intersection of political science and economics. Political economy focuses on the study of politics based on economic principles and on the use of the standard tools of economic analysis. Main topic are the following: 1. Political economy and the origins of government 2. Collective choice: normative analysis 3. Collective choice positive analysis: the political market 4. The government and special interest groups 5. The political economy of bureaucracy 6. Empirical political economy models 7. The policy process in Russia: political economy of Russian Agricultural policy (student driven discussion) 8. The policy process in some OECD countries: political economy of US agricultural policy 9. Political economy of the EU Common Agricultural Policy Main outcomes: Political Economy of Public Policy aims to: • Make students understand better the ways in which policy decisions are made in the area of agriculture, rural development and agri-environment • Help develop an in-depth knowledge of the overall policy process with a reference to the national agricultural policy in Russia but also abroad, e.g. USA, the European Union • Develop an analytical approach to behaviour of the participants in the policy process (politicians, bureaucrats, interest groups and voters) • Provide an overview of the main types of political economy models • Enhance students’ skills to lead a policy debate
Learning Objectives
- Objectives of the course: provide a rigorous introduction to political economy (economics of social choice); give an understanding of the work of democratic institutions in the policy formulation; analyses the behavior of the participants in the policy formulation (governments, bureaucrats, interest groups (lobbyists) and voters); exemplify the usefulness of the political economy/public choice/social choice framework through application to agricultural policies in different countries
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Knowledge on example of the radical agricultural reform in some countries
- Knowledge on how do governments make decisions; how do individuals behave to maximise their incomes and welfare; Anthony Downs concept of political market
- Knowledge on Mancur Olson logic of collective action (examples - e.g. World Wild Fund, Green Peace)
- Knowledge on Niskanen model; the role of government agencies (bureaus) in policy
- Knowledge on reasons for the existence of government, types of governments
Course Contents
- Political economy and the origins of government
- Collective choice: what governments ought to do according to theory and how are policy decisions made in practice
- The political economy of special interest groups – lobbying and rent-seeking
- Agricultural policy in Europe and radical reform in New Zealand – a political economy analysis
- The bilateral monopoly: politicians and government agencies negotiations for budget
Assessment Elements
- AssignmentStudents have to research and find a suitable case study in the area of policy and market distortions to which to apply the collective choice framework. Before submitting the written assignment students will give a short class presentation on their case study and receive feedback.
- Oral examTwo essay type questions
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Joe B Stevens. (2018). The Economics Of Collective Choice. Routledge.
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Классическая политэкономия. Т. 2: История экономической мысли, Ротбард, М., 2019
- Экономическая теория (политэкономия) : учебник для вузов, Журавлева, Г. П., 2011
- Экономическая теория (политэкономия) : Учебник, Видяпин, В.И., 1997