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857-0004-00L 8 Credits MSC D-GESS
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Political Economy

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Thomas Bernauer, Prof. Dr. Vassiliki Koubi
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:33:10

Abstract

This seminar focuses on the interplay of political and economic factors in shaping policy outcomes at local to global levels. It concentrates on the application of economic logic to political questions and the influence of political processes and institutions on economic activity.

Objective

This seminar focuses on the interplay of political and economic factors in shaping policy outcomes at local to global levels. It concentrates on the application of economic logic to political questions and the influence of political processes and institutions on economic activity.

Content

This course focuses on the interplay of political and economic factors in shaping policy outcomes at local, national, and global levels. To this end, it focuses on the application of economic concepts, arguments and models to political questions, and the influence of political processes and institutions on economic activity. The course draws on a wide range of theoretical perspectives from comparative and international politics, positive political theory, public choice, and economics. These different theoretical perspectives and models from political science and economics will be used to investigate a number of specific areas of interest: e.g., the effects of interest groups, civil society, and mass public opinion on government regulation of economic activity, the determinants of government spending, the determinants of economic growth and sustainable development, the politics of international trade and investment, monetary and fiscal policy, the welfare state, and globalization. Ultimately, this course not only seeks to make students familiar with the theoretical and methodological approaches used in these areas of study, but also with important research topics in comparative and international political economy.

Resources

Lecture Notes

seehttp://www.cis.ethz.ch/education/macis/courses

Literature

See Moodle for this course

General Information

Language
English
Levels
MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance
The overall grade for the course will be based on a review essay, a presentation in class, participation in class, and written mid-term and final exams. Details on each of these can be found in the syllabus.If the overall grade is below 4.0, the entire course, including all graded components thereof, can be retaken. This requires re-registration for the course in the following spring semester. The resulting overall grade constitutes the second chance to pass the course. Individual graded components of the course cannot be re-taken as such even if the grade for them is below 4.0. Once the first graded component of the course has been completed de-registering from the course is no longer possible, and participation in the course counts as the first attempt, irrespective of whether the remaining graded components of the course are completed or not.

Registration & Places

Priority: Registration for the course unit is only possible for the primary target group

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
seminar Political Economy
  • Thu 09:15-12:00 (LEE D 105)
3 h weekly

Offered In