APPLIES TO ACADEMIC YEAR 2014/2015

ELE 3723 Political Governance

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 aim of the course is to give a general idea of the public sector's role in a market economy, with a particular emphasis on democratic decisions with a view to rectifying various forms of market failures. A particular focus is placed on the government's responsibility for health and welfare systems as developed in the Scandinvian welfare model.

Learning outcome
Acquired knowledge
The students shall gain a basic understanding of the reasons for public involvement and how it affects private market players. The students shall also acquire concrete knowledge of public involvement in financial policy, monetary policy, pension fund management, regional policy and business policy.

Acquired skills
The students shall acquire concrete knowledge on how many social policy goals are best achieved through an interaction between government intervention and market economy dynamics. They shall also learn how both the government and the market have advantages as well as shortcomings - and that it is necessary in public governance to constantly reform policy instruments.

Reflection
The students shall develop a balanced view of the relationship between government and the market and train their ability to distinguish between value-based and scientific views of how society develops. They shall also develop a good understanding of how good solutions often are compromises involving democratic decision-making processes, market economic efficiency and social justice.

Prerequisites
No particular prerequisites are required.

Compulsory reading
Books:
Røste, Ole Bjørn. 2013. Økonomi og politikk for samfunnsvitere. Gyldendal akademisk. Revidert utg. av Politikk og økonomi : for statsvitere
Sørensen, Rune J. 2009. En effektiv offentlig sektor : organisering, styring og ledelse i stat og kommune. Universitetsforlaget. 9-148

Recommended reading

Course outline

• The reasons for a public sector
• Governance failures and inefficiency in the public sector
• Public ownership and management
• Theoretical models for public policy studies
• Growth in public spending
• Macroeconomic policy
• Government, market and the good society