92154 - Theories Of Structural Dynamics

Academic Year 2021/2022

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Economics and Economic Policy (cod. 8420)

Learning outcomes

The aim of this course is to introduce students to classical and modern contributions to the theory of structural economic dynamics. The course endeavours to provide systematic guidelines for the assessment of the structural dynamics literature and for the utilization of that literature in policy modelling.The main areas that will be covered are: (i) classical theories of structural dynamics; (ii) structural dynamics and macroeconomic modelling; (iii) structural dynamics and multisectoral modelling; (iv) structural dynamics and transitional dynamics (traverse analysis); (v) structural dynamics and polarized development; (vi) theories of structural dynamics and industrial policy; (vi) How can structural change be explained?  Teaching consists of formal lectures and classes that require the active participation of students.

The course is open to MA and Ph.D. students.

Course contents

Lectures follow the syllabus below:

0. Structural economic dynamics: aims, methods and theories

1. Classical theories of structural dynamics

2. Macroeconomic modelling and structural dynamics

2.1. Harrodian dynamics

2.2.Proportional vs.non-proportional expansion

3. Multisectoral modelling and structural dynamics

3.1. The Cambridge growth project

3.2. Pasinetti's theory of structural dynamics: the pure producibility model

3.2. Quadrio Curzio's theory of structural dynamics: the structural scarcity model

3.3. Lowe's theory of structural dynamics: the stage-structure model

 

4. Structural dynamics and transitional dynamics

4.1. The Hicksian tradition (Hicks traverse analysis)

4.2. The Lowe tradition (Lowe traverse analysis)

5. Structural dynamics, vulnerability and resilience

6. Structural dynamics and the political economy of structural change

7. Explaining structural dynamics: actions, transformation and context

Readings/Bibliography

A. Andreoni and R. Scazzieri, 'Triggers of Change: Structural Trajectories and Production Dynamics', Cambridge Journal of Economics, 38 (6, November), 2014, pp.1391–1408.Topic 0:

R. Scazzieri, Structural Economic Dynamics: Methods, Theories and Decisions, in H. Kurz and Hans-Michael Trautwein (eds.) Essays in Honour of Harald Hagemann, ABINGDON, OXFORDSHIRE (UK), NEW YORK, Routledge, 2012, pp. 314-28.

Topic 1:

R. Scazzieri, Structural Economic Dynamics: Methods, Theories and Decisions, in H. Kurz and Hans-Michael Trautwein (eds.) Essays in Honour of Harald Hagemann, ABINGDON, OXFORDSHIRE (UK), NEW YORK, Routledge, 2012, pp. 314-28.

R. Scazzieri (in collaboration with L.L: Pasinetti), Structural Economic Dynamics, in J. Eatwell, M. Milgate and P. Newman (eds), The New Palgrave. A Dictionary of Economics, LONDON Macmillan, 1987, vol. IV, pp. 525-28.

R. Scazzieri (in collaboration with M. Landesmann), Specification of Structure and Economic Dynamics, in M. Baranzini and R. Scazzieri (eds.), The Economic Theory of Structure and Change, CAMBRIDGE, Cambridge University Press, 1990, pp. 95-121.

R. Scazzieri, ‘Between Theory and History: The Structural Dynamics Tradition’, in A. Sinha and A.M. Thomas (eds.), Pluralistic Economics and its History, ABINGDON, OXON., AND NEW YORK, Routledge, 2019, pp. 136-159.

W. Eltis, The Classical Theory of Economic Growth, London, Macmillan, 1984.

 

Topic 2:

R. Scazzieri, ‘Between Theory and History: The Structural Dynamics Tradition’, in A. Sinha and A.M. Thomas (eds.), Pluralistic Economics and its History, ABINGDON, OXON., AND NEW YORK, Routledge, 2019, pp. 136-159.

R. Scazzieri, Structural Economic Dynamics: Looking Back and Forging Ahead, in Gli economist postkeynesiani di Cambridge e l’Italia (Roma, 11-12 March 2009), ROMA, Atti dei Convegni Lincei, 2011, pp. 205-33.

R.F. Harrod, 'An Essay in Dynamic Theory', The Economic Journal, Vol. 49, No. 193 (March, 1939), pp. 14-33.

L. Pasinetti and L. Spaventa, 'Verso il superamento della modellistica aggregata nella teoria dello sviluppo economico', Rivista di politica economica, 50, 1960, pp. 3-35.

M. Baranzini, A Theory of Wealth, Distribution and Accumulation, Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1991.

 

Topic 3:

R. Stone  and J.A.C. Brown, ''A Computable Model of Economic Growth', in A Programme for Growth, n. 1, London, Chapman and Hall, published for the Department of Applied Economics, University of Cambridge, 1962.

L. Pasinetti, Structural Change and Economic Growth: A Theoretical Essay on the Dynamics of the Wealth of Nations, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1981.

L. Pasinetti, Structural Economic Dynamics: A Theory of he Economic Consequences of Human Learning, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1993.

A. Quadrio Curzio, Accumulazione del capitale e rendita, Bologna, Il Mulino, 1975.

A. Quadrio Curzio,'Technological Scarcity: An Essay on Production and Structural Change', in M. Baranzini and R. Scazzieri (eds.), Foundations of Economics. Structures of Inquiry and Economic Theory, Oxford and New York, Basil Blackwell, 1986, pp. 311-338.

A. Quadrio Curzio and F. Pellizzari, 'Political Economy of Resources,Technologies and Rent', in I. Cardinale and R. Scazzieri (eds.), The Palgrave Handbook of Political Economy, London, Palgrave Macmillan, 2018, pp. 657-704.

A. Lowe, The Path of Economic Growth, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1976.

L. Spaventa, 'Dualism in Economic Growth', PSL Quarterly Review, 66 (266), 2013, pp. 201-253. (Originally published in Banca Nazionale del Lavoro Quarterly Review, 112 (51, December), 1959, pp. 386-434.

R. Scazzieri, 'Structural Economic Dynamics: Looking Back and Forging Ahead', in Atti dei Convegni Lincei, vol. 261, , Convegno internazionale 'Gli economisti postkeynesiani di Cambridge e l'Italia', Roma, Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, 2011, pp. 205-233.

R. Scazzieri, M.L. Baranzini, C. Rotondi, 'Resources, Scarcities, and Rents: Technological Interdependence and the Dynamics of Socio-economic Structures', in M. Baranzini, C. Rotondi and R.Scazzieri (eds.), Resources, Production and Structural Dynamics, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, pp. 427-484.

 

Topic 4:

J. Hicks, Capital and Time. A Neo-Austrian Theory, Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1973.

J. Hicks, Methods of Dynamic Economics, Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1985.

A. Lowe, The Path of Economic Growth, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1976.

H.Hagemann and R. Scazzieri. 'Capital Structure and Economic Transitions: An Introductory Essay', in  H. Hagemann and R. Scazzieri (eds), Capital, Time and Transitional Dynamics, Abingdon (Oxon) and New York, 2009, pp. 1-39.

A. Andreoni and R. Scazzieri, 'Triggers of Change: Structural Trajectories and Production Dynamics', Cambridge Journal of Economics, 38 (6, November), 2014, pp.1391–1408.

 

Topic 5:

R. Scazzieri, 'Decomposability and Relative Invariance: The Structural Approach to Network Complexity and Resilience', Networks and Spatial Economics, 2021, DOI:10.1007/s11067-021-09519-8

Topic 6:

R. Scazzieri, A Theory of Production. Tasks, Processes and Technical Practices, Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1993.

M.Landesmann and R. Scazzieri (eds.), Production and Economic Dynamics, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1996.

P. Bianchi and S. Labory, 'Manufacturing Regimes and Transitional Paths: Lessons for Industrial Policy', Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, 48 (March), 2019, pp. 24-31.

P. Bianchi and S. Labory, Industrial Policy for the Manufacturing Revolution: Perspectives on Digital Globalisation, Cheltenham Glos. and Northampton, MA (USA), Edward Elgar Publishing, 2019.

A. Andreoni, H.-J. Chang and R. Scazzieri, 'Industrial Policy in Context: Building Blocks for an Integrated and Comparative Political Economy Agenda', Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, 48 (March), 2019, pp.1-6.

M. Landesmann and R. Stollinger, 'Structural Change, Trade and Global Production Networks: An ‘Appropriate Industrial Policy’ for Peripheral and Catching-up Economies', Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, 48 (March), 2019, pp. 7-23.

A. Andreoni and H.J. Chang, 'The Political Economy of Industrial Policy: Structural Interdependencies, Policy Alignment and Conflict Management', Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, 48 (March), 2019, pp. 136-150.

M. Landesmann, 'Political Economy of Structural Change', in I. Cardinale and R. Scazzieri (eds.), The Palgrave Handbook of Political Economy, London, Palgrave Macmillan, 2018, pp. 705-748.

I. Cardinale, 'Structural Political Economy', in I. Cardinale and R. Scazzieri (eds.), The Palgrave Handbook of Political Economy, London, Palgrave Macmillan, 2018, pp. 769-784.

 

Topic 7:

I. Cardinale, 'A Bridge over Troubled Water: A Structural Political Economy of Vertical Integration', Structural Change and Economic Dynamicsvol, 46(September), 2018, pap. 172-179.

Scazzieri, R. 'Between Theory and History: The Structural Dynamics Tradition', in A. Sinha and A.M. Thomas (ed.), Pluralistic Economics and its History, Abingdon (Oxon.) and New York, Routledge, 2019, pp. 136-159.

I. Cardinale and R. Scazzieri, 'Explaining Structural Change: Actions and Transformations', Structural Change and Economic Dynamics,in press, available online 13 December 2018, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.strueco.2018.12.002.

I. Cardinale and M. Landesmann, ‘Exploring Sectoral Conflicts of Interest in the Eurozone. A Structural Political Economy Approach’, in in D. Coffman, I. Cardinale and R. Scazzieri (eds.), The Political Economy of the Eurozone, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, pp. 284-336.

 

 

 

 

Teaching methods

Lectures and classes are open to MA and Ph.D. students

Assessment methods

Active participation in lectures and classes. Submission of a research report (4,000-5,000 words) on a topic and bibliography to be arranged with the Lecturer.

Teaching tools

PPT files of lectures will be made available to students attending the course. Library work will be essential to successful attendance of the course.

Office hours

See the website of Roberto Scazzieri

SDGs

Quality education Industry, innovation and infrastructure Responsible consumption and production Climate Action

This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.