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Political Economy of Institutions and Development

Richard Thomas Griffiths

This course is part of the SDG initiative addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, specifically for the following SDGs [1, 8, 10 and 16]. We hope you will join in our efforts to reach the SDG’s in small but measurable and actionable ways, cooperating with Development Done Differently. Expand your impact. You can create a better world.

In today’s world, politics and economics are interconnected, but what is the nature of this connectivity? What are the power relationships that shape the world economy today and create new challenges for international institutions facing globalization? What makes some countries wealthier than others? Do we face cultural diversity or fragmentation? Does the type of governance effect economic development and social change or is it the other way around? How do we measure it and how trustworthy is the data? These issues and many more will be examined in this course along with a wide library of sources and a biting criticism.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction into this course

Welcome to this course! Here we present the instructor and his team, what we will do in the upcoming modules, and what is exactly Political Economy. You play an important role in this module. We would also like to hear who you are and what are your expectations from this course. Don't forget to read before that our academic standards and tips and tricks that will help you succeed in this course. Good luck!

Data used in Political Economy

Basic Data. Reviews the basic data of population, output and development used to make international comparisons between countries.

Trust

Trust. Argues for the centrality of trust in explanations of differences in wealth and poverty between nations but highlights difficulties in measuring it and in explaining the direct of causality.

Society and Fragmentation

Inequality and Fragmentation. Examines how society can be fragmented along lines of religion, language, ethnicity and income

Governance

Governance. Argues that good governance provides a transparent and stable environment for risk assessment and decision-making and contributes to welfare and growth. The question is how to get it.

Economic Development

Development Assistance. Assesses the motivations for development assistance but raises doubts about the extent to which it can overcome local issues.

Globalisation

Let us now focus on the international context of the elements we've seen so far. Globalisation - what is it really? What are the benefits it is supposed to confer and what is the role, if any, left for national governments in today's world?

International organizations

International organization. What role do they play in the world economy?

Non Governmental actors

Even though they do not belong to any establishment or an institution, certain non- governmental institutions can have a lot of power and influence. Who are those actors? How much power do they really have? We will dive into these question in this module!

Final

The final exam! Good luck!

Extra Material

Not for the test - but very good for your general knowledge!

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Political Economy is taught by Richard Thomas Griffiths, who has 20 years experience working in the field

Explores the intersection of politics and economics to understand global issues and challenges

Covers a wide range of topics, including trust, inequality, governance, development, globalization and more

Provides a strong foundation for students interested in international relations, global governance, and development studies

Draws upon a variety of sources and includes a critical examination of the issues discussed

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Reviews summary

Popular political economy course

Learners say this course is a wonderful, well-received, great, very informative, and excellent introduction to political economy. Suitable for beginners, the course covers a wide range of topics in political economy and development. Its engaging lectures, readings, and assignments help learners develop analytical tools to critically evaluate economic phenomena and their implications in today's world. Students say that Professor Griffiths is thought-provoking. The course is highly recommended by students for those interested in politics, development, and international relations.

The course provides a strong foundation in political economy.

"Excellent foundational but also thought-provoking course."

"an excellent introduction to political economy."

"Very suitable for beginners interested in international political economy, truly useful for me to solid the foundation."

Professor Griffiths is knowledgeable and makes teaching interesting.

"I gained a great deal of knowledge as Prof Griffiths gives in depth explanations of concepts."

"An entertaining and dynamic professor, with loads of interesting maps to understand the key concepts concretely."

"The roles played by the UN, WTO, IMF, International Organizations etc to maintain the votes of developed countries is well discussed."

The course covers a wide range of topics in political economy and development.

"It touched so many topics, I am amazed by how comprehensive the course was"

"The topics covered were very interesting and applicable to modern problems!"

"Very great and useful content in this course, reliable and inspirational"

Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for Political Economy of Institutions and Development. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

Career center

Learners who complete Political Economy of Institutions and Development will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Sociologist

Sociologists study human society and behavior. They use their knowledge to analyze social trends and make predictions about the future. This course may be useful for those who want to pursue a career as a Sociologist because it provides a foundation in political economy and development. This knowledge can be helpful for Sociologists who want to work on issues related to these topics.

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Anthropologist

Anthropologists study human cultures and societies. They use their knowledge to analyze cultural trends and make predictions about the future. This course may be useful for those who want to pursue a career as an Anthropologist because it provides a foundation in political economy and development. This knowledge can be helpful for Anthropologists who want to work on issues related to these topics.

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Historian

Historians study the past to understand the present. They use their knowledge to analyze historical trends and make predictions about the future. This course may be useful for those who want to pursue a career as a Historian because it provides a foundation in political economy and development. This knowledge can be helpful for Historians who want to work on issues related to these topics.

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Political Scientist

Political Scientists study political systems and processes. They use their knowledge to analyze political trends and make predictions about the future. This course may be useful for those who want to pursue a career as a Political Scientist because it provides a foundation in political economy and development. This knowledge can be helpful for Political Scientists who want to work on issues related to these topics.

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Lawyer

Lawyers advise and represent clients in legal matters. They may specialize in a particular area, such as corporate law, criminal law, or family law. This course may be useful for those who want to pursue a career as a Lawyer because it provides a foundation in political economy and development. This knowledge can be helpful for Lawyers who want to work on cases related to these issues.

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Economist

Economists study how people produce, distribute, and consume goods and services. They use their knowledge to analyze economic trends and make predictions about the future. This course may be useful for those who want to pursue a career as an Economist because it provides a foundation in political economy and development. This knowledge can be helpful for Economists who want to work on issues related to these topics.

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Professor

Professors teach and conduct research at colleges and universities. They may specialize in a particular area, such as political science, economics, or sociology. This course may be useful for those who want to pursue a career as a Professor because it provides a foundation in political economy and development. This knowledge can be helpful for Professors who want to teach and research these topics.

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Consultant

Consultants provide advice and expertise to businesses and organizations. They may specialize in a particular area, such as management consulting, financial consulting, or information technology consulting. This course may be useful for those who want to pursue a career as a Consultant because it provides a foundation in political economy and development. This knowledge can be helpful for Consultants who want to work on projects related to these issues.

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Journalist

Journalists write, edit, and produce news stories for newspapers, magazines, websites, and other media outlets. They may specialize in a particular area, such as politics, economics, or sports. This course may be useful for those who want to pursue a career as a Journalist because it provides a foundation in political economy and development. This knowledge can be helpful for Journalists who want to report on these issues.

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Research Analyst

Research Analysts conduct research and analyze data to provide insights to businesses and organizations. They may specialize in a particular area, such as market research, financial research, or data science. This course may be useful for those who want to pursue a career as a Research Analyst because it provides a foundation in political economy and development. This knowledge can be helpful for Research Analysts who want to work on projects related to these issues.

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Nonprofit Program Manager

Nonprofit Program Managers plan, implement, and evaluate nonprofit programs. They work with staff, volunteers, and community partners to achieve the organization's goals. This course may be useful for those who want to pursue a career as a Nonprofit Program Manager because it provides a foundation in political economy and development. This knowledge can be helpful for Nonprofit Program Managers who want to work on programs related to these issues.

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International Relations Analyst

International Relations Analysts research and analyze international relations issues. They use their findings to make recommendations to policymakers and international organizations. This course may be useful for those who want to pursue a career as an International Relations Analyst because it provides a foundation in political economy and development. This knowledge can be helpful for International Relations Analysts who want to work on issues related to these topics.

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Development Economist

Development Economists research and analyze economic development issues. They use their findings to make recommendations to policymakers and development organizations. This course may be useful for those who want to pursue a career as a Development Economist because it provides a foundation in political economy and development. This knowledge can be helpful for Development Economists who want to work on projects related to these issues.

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Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts research, analyze, and evaluate public policies. They use their findings to make recommendations to policymakers. This course may be useful for those who want to pursue a career as a Policy Analyst because it provides a foundation in political economy and development. This knowledge can be helpful for Policy Analysts who want to work on policies related to these issues.

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Writer

Writers create content for various media, including websites, magazines, newspapers, and books. They may specialize in a particular type of writing, such as technical writing, copywriting, or journalism. This course may be helpful for those who want to pursue a career as a Writer because it provides a foundation in political economy and development. This knowledge can be helpful for Writers who want to write about these topics or who want to work for organizations that focus on these issues.

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Reading list

We've selected 39 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Political Economy of Institutions and Development.

Power and Progress