Bachelor
2024/2025
The Political Economy of Development
Type:
Compulsory course (Sociology)
Area of studies:
Sociology
Delivered by:
School of Sociology
Where:
Faculty of Social Sciences
When:
2 year, 3 module
Mode of studies:
offline
Open to:
students of all HSE University campuses
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
4
Course Syllabus
Abstract
Why are some nations rich, while others are poor? The course ‘Political Economy of
Development’ is dedicated to deal systematically with this oldest question of political economy.
The course aims at introducing the academic study of development for general social scientists.
The course presents major trends and changes in development theory and their bearings on
development policy and practice, critically discussing emergence and evolution of theories,
concepts, paradigms in political economy of development.
Learning Objectives
- To understand different basic perspectives, concepts, discussions, and theories about development.
- To be familiar with development problems such as democratization, inequality, military conflicts, capitalism, globalization, state-formation, etc.
- To discuss the implications of different theoretical perspectives for development policy in practice.
- To improve verbal communication skills through interactive class discussions.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Improve verbal communication skills through interactive class discussions.
- Discuss the implications of different theoretical perspectives for development policy in practice.
- Be familiar with development problems such as democratization, inequality, military conflicts, capitalism, globalization, state-formation, etc..
- Understand different basic perspectives, concepts, discussions, and theories about development.
Course Contents
- Introduction. What is development?
- Institutions and Development.
- Geography and Development
- Radical Theories of Development: Dependency Theory and World-System Analysis
- The Great Divergence and the Rise of the West.
- Colonialism and Development
- Democracy and Dictatorship
- The ‘resource curse.’ What is the paradox of plenty?
- Capitalism, Inequality and Development
Interim Assessment
- 2024/2025 3rd module0.21 * Book review + 0.29 * Final test + 0.21 * Presentation + 0.29 * Seminar activity
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Wallerstein, I. M. (2004). World-Systems Analysis : An Introduction. Durham: Duke University Press Books. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=682046
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Acemoglu, D., Johnson, S., & Robinson, J. A. (2005). Institutions as a Fundamental Cause of Long-Run Growth. Handbook of Economic Growth, 385. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsrep&AN=edsrep.h.eee.grochp.1.06