Development Studies

1.5 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

Based on SFS class Political Economy of International Development. The course begins with a study of institutions, i.e. the formal and informal constraints that shape political, economic and social interactions. Next, it will focus on role of the state, the rationale for state intervention in markets and societies, and examples of state interventions. This will pave the way for an exploration of some important contemporary topics in the study of developing countries: causes of government failure, causes of state failure, the role of interest groups and bureaucracies, the challenge of fragile and/or failed states, and the current architecture of international political institutions. The course will also highlight the relationship between political institutions and society at large by examining the importance of culture. It will conclude with some contemporary topics that are likely to emerge from the field in the next several years. Learning outcomes/subtopics: -Understand the institutions that shape political, economic and social interactions. -Analyze issues such as cause of state failure, role of interest groups and bureaucracies, and challenge of fragile or failed states.