Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL2046: The Economics of Politics

This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.

Module Aims

This module aims at providing you with the skills to critically evaluate and apply rational choice approaches as an analytical tool for the examination of political phenomena. First, it discusses the underlying assumptions and their theoretical and empirical implications for political analyses. Second, the seminar makes you familiar with core approaches introducing economic reasoning in the conceptualisation and in the analysis of politics. Third, it introduces applications of rational choice theory in comparative politics.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills	1. understand core concepts in rational choice theory; 2. describe and analyse the connections and relationships between economics and politics; 3. critically engage with concrete applications of rational choice theory; 4. describe, list and assess the core works in comparative politics using rational choice theory;
Discipline-Specific Skills	5. translate a particular logic of reasoning from one discipline (economics) to another (politics); 6. apply abstract theoretical ideas and concepts to actual events and outcomes; 7. construct well-structured rigorous arguments that are based on logical deduction;
Personal and Key Skills	8. deliver presentations to peers, communicate effectively in speech and writing; 9. appropriately use ICT 10. research & critically evaluate information; 11. apply techniques and theories in appropriate contexts;

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

1. Rational Choice as Analytical Tool: Basic Assumptions and Standard Criticisms
2. Economic Conceptualisations of Democracy
3. Political Participation
4. The Paradox of Voting
5. Game Theory: Models of Cooperation and Coordination
6. Collective Action Problems
7. Principal-Agent Theory
8. Rational Choice Institutionalisms
9. Models of Government Formation
10. Bureaucratic Politics
11. Review Session

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
26.5	123.5

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity	16.5	11 x 1.5 hour lectures
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity	10	10 x 1 hour tutorials
Guided Independent study	123.5	Independent study

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).

Indicative Reading List

This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.

Please be aware that due to a new lecturer running this course this year, we are expecting some changes to the Reading List.

- Laver, Michael (1997): Private Desires, Political Action, An Invitation to the Politics of Rational Choice. London: Sage.
- Downs, Anthony (1957): An Economic Theory of Democracy. New York: Harper and Row.
- Hardin, Russell (1982): Collective Action, Baltimore and London: Johns Hopkins UP.
- Strøm, Kaare (1990): Minority Government and Majority Rule. Cambridge: Cambridge UP.
- Riker, William (1962): The Theory of Political Coalitions. New Haven: Yale UP.