This course examines the application of public choice theory to problems in politics including political conflicts, decision-making, political institutions and ways of improving public policy making. Public choice theory seeks to account for the behaviour of individuals in non-market environments using simple models of political decision-making seeking to look beneath the surface phenomena of political institutions and processes to discover the mechanisms for which political outcomes emerge. It shows how well-meaning politicians and policies can end up with inefficient outcomes.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- debate the assumptions and limitations of public choice theory and apply the ‘tools’ associated with the theory;
- use the core arguments of public choice and the principles of spatial analysis to explore and analyse political situations, institutions and complex political processes in liberal democracies; and
- demonstrate the ability to think and write coherently, logically, and creatively about public choice and politics in the academic style associated with the discipline
Indicative Assessment
- Class Participation (10) [LO 1,2,3]
- Three assignments (600-700 words each) (20) [LO 1,2,3]
- Research Paper: (2000-2500 words) (30) [LO 1,2,3]
- Final Exam (3 hours) (40) [LO 1,2,3]
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.
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Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from: a) 24 hours of contact over 12 weeks: combination of lectures and tutorials; and b) 104 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Kenneth A. Shepsle Analyzing Politics London WW Norton 2ed
Andrew Hindmoor and Brad Taylor Rational Choice Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan 2nd
Preliminary Reading
Dennis C. Muller Public Choice III Cambridge Cambridge University Press
Tim Besley Principle Agents? Oxford: Oxford University Press
Torsten Perrsson and Guido Tabellini The Economic Effects of Institutions Cambridge: MIT Press
Hannu Nurmi Models of Political Economy London: Routledge
Majors
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:
- 1
- 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 | $3840 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $5460 |
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.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2759 | 24 Feb 2020 | 02 Mar 2020 | 08 May 2020 | 05 Jun 2020 | In Person | View |