Currently, in most of the economics that is taught, government decisions are not adequately explained, but are treated as exogenous, or (sometimes), assumed to be determined by considerations of ‘optimality’. The course seeks to develop an understanding of how governments actually use their ‘policy space’ in economic matters, and how they actually respond to expansions (or contractions) in that space.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
Upon successful completion of the requirements for this course, students will be able to:
• Appreciate the concept of endogenous economic policy decision s
• Absorb scholarly papers that make use of the fundamentals of the models of ‘political economy’
• Produce simple political economy models
• Discern the political economy angle of concrete policy problems
Other Information
See the course outline on the College courses page. Outlines are uploaded as they become available.Indicative Assessment
Assessment Item
Assignment Type
Requirements
Due Date
Weighting (%)
Mid Term tests
Test
Compulsory
One date during
the course
15
Written
Assignment
Essay
Compulsory
Towards end
of course
15
Examination
2.5 hr exam
Compulsory
End of year
70
In response to COVID-19: Please note that Semester 2 Class Summary information (available under the classes tab) is as up to date as possible. Changes to Class Summaries not captured by this publication will be available to enrolled students via Wattle.
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
Students taking this course are expected to commit at least 12 hours a week comprised of: 2 hours of lectures and, 1 hour of tutorial, and 8 hours of private study.Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Texts and Other Reading
Prescribed Texts
There is currently no suitable text.
Recommended Reading
Brennan, Geoffrey and James M Buchanan 1980 The Power to Tax, chs 2,3 and 4, CUP
Brennan G, and Lomasky L 1987, ‘The Impartial Spectator Goes to Washington: towards a Smithian Theory of Electoral Behaviour’ Economics and Philosophy 189-211
Buchanan, J,M. 1975 ‘Constitutional Contract’, in The Limits of Liberty, University of Chicago
Hamlin, A.P. ‘The Political Economy of Constitutional Federalism’, Public Choice, 46(2) 187-195
Niskanen, William A. 1994, Bureaucracy and public economics, Aldershot : Elgar
Olson, Mancur 2000, Power and Prosperity : outgrowing communist and capitalist dictatorships New York : Basic Books
Peltzman, S. 1974 ‘Towards a More General Theory of Regulation’, Journal of Law and Economics, 335-58
Tollison R.D. 1989, ‘Chicago Political Economy’ Public Choice 63, 293-297
Tullock G ‘Efficient Rent Seeking’ in Towards a Theory of the Rent Seeking Society, eds JM Buchanan, RD Tolison and G Tullock
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 3
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $4320 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $5760 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8370 | 27 Jul 2020 | 03 Aug 2020 | 31 Aug 2020 | 30 Oct 2020 | In Person | N/A |