APPLIES TO ACADEMIC YEAR 2013/2014

MRK 3544 Political Economy

Responsible for the course
Are Vegard Haug

Department
Department of Accounting - Auditing and Law

Term
According to study plan

ECTS Credits
7,5

Language of instruction
Norwegian

Introduction
The purpose of the course
The course is an introduction to the key supranational and intergovernmental organizations that regulate international economic activity, with particular emphasis on the historical background, structure and function of the WTO and the EU. Special attention is devoted to regimes of relevance to marketing and consumer issues, as well as how the international civil society is strengthened as a key player in forming public opinion

Learning outcome
Acquired Knowledge
Students will gain a basic understanding of international economic policy, and understand how organizations, in particular the WTO and the EU's political attempts to overcome impotence and adjustment problems (regulation) of international economic activity. Likewise, students acquire specific knowledge about the regimes that provide for specified rights and obligations across national government competencies.

Acquired Skills
The students are to acquire a clear understanding of how cross-border economic activity takes place in a complex regulatory regime, where both national government and supranational competencies interact. Students will be able to understand how marketing is regulated as both supranational cross-border services, and as a part of corporate and national states' economic strategies.

Reflection
Students will be trained to understand the value-based reasons for the supranational regimes, and to have a mature and reflective approach to the problems and weaknesses that characterize these regimes. Likewise, it is important to develop an understanding of how markets need regulation to function.

Prerequisites
None.

Compulsory reading
Books:
Claes, Dag Harald, Helge Hveem og Bent Sofus Tranøy. 2012. Global økonomi, krise, og politisk styring. 2. utg. Universitetsforlaget. (ca 340 sider)

Collection of articles:
Are Vegard Haug. 2013. Artikkelsamling til Politisk økonomi. Handelshøyskolen BI

Recommended reading
Books:
Oatley, Thomas H. 2012. International political economy : interests and institutions in the global economy. 5th ed. Longman/Pearson. 16/420
Røste, Ole Bjørn. 2008. Politikk og økonomi : for statsvitere. Gyldendal akademisk. 13/349
Smith, Roy, Imad El-Anis and Christopher Farrands. 2010. International political economy in the 21st century : contemporary issues and analyses. Longman/Pearson

Course outline

• International political economy - theory and framework
• International trade and cooperation
• Frameworks and institutions
• Regulation and industrial policy
• International regimes (WTO, OECD)
• Regional regimes (NAFTA, ASEAN, EU, EEA)
• The international monetarian system
• Trade policy
• Trade and development
• Global interest groups (NGOs, etc.)
• Business environment and the EU
• Globalisation