APPLIES TO ACADEMIC YEAR 2016/2017 Norwegian version

MRK 3544 Political Economy

Responsible for the course
Nick Sitter

Department
Department of Law

Term
According to study plan

ECTS Credits
7,5

Language of instruction
Norwegian and english

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:
Ravenhill, John, ed. 2014. Global political economy. 4th ed. Oxford University Press

Collection of articles:
Are Vegard Haug. 2015. Articles (to be published on ItsLearning). Handelshøyskolen BI

Recommended reading
Books:
Claes, Dag Harald, Helge Hveem og Bent Sofus Tranøy. 2012. Global økonomi, krise og politisk styring. 2. utg. Universitetsforlaget. (ca 340 sider)
Oatley, Thomas H. 2014. International political economy. 5th international ed. Longman/Pearson. 16/420
Røste, Ole Bjørn. 2013. Økonomi og politikk for samfunnsvitere. Gyldendal akademisk. 13/349. Revidert utg. av Politikk og økonomi : for statsvitere
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