24325 - Economics Aanalysis of Institutions

Learning outcomes

sThe aim of the course is to introduce students to a critical assessment of the economics of institutions from the point of view  of political economy and of its interdisciplinary background. This will be done by focusing in particular upon the relationship between economic analysis  and the political economy of institutional change. The core elements of the course will be: (i) models of reasoning, rationality criteria, models of congruence: (ii) contexts, social cleavages and problem spaces; (iii) analytical representation of social cleavages and institution-building; (iv) institutional set-ups and  economic policy.

Course contents

1. Economic theory and  institutional arrangements: Smith, Marshall and  Hicks

2. Models of reasoning, rationality criteria, schemes of social congruence

3. Contexts, social cleavages, problem spaces

4. Analytical representations of  social cleavages and institutions building

5. Decision theory and context theory

6. Institutional arrangements and economic policy

 

Teaching includes lectures and seminar activities. In academic year 2014-2015 the seminar will  discuss John Hicks's volume 'A Theory of Economic History' (Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1969 and subsequent editions).

Readings/Bibliography

Essential readings:

1. M. Baranzini e R. Scazzieri, 'Economic Structure: Analytical Perspectives', in M. Baranzini e R. Scazzieri (a cura di), The Economic Theory of Structure and Change, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1990, pp. 227-333.

P. Ciocca (a cura di) Le vie della storia in economia, Roma, Laterza, 2003.

A.Quadrio Curzio e R. Scazzieri, Sui momenti costitutivi dell'economia politica, Bologna, Il Mulino, 1985.


2. G. Becattini, Industria e carattere. Saggi sul pensiero di Marshall, Milano, Mondadori, 2010.


3. P. Bourdieu, Les structures sociales de l'économie, Paris, Editions du Seuil, 2000.

    P. Sylos Labini, Torniamo ai classici, Roma,Laterza, 2004.


4. F. Giunchiglia,  ‘Contextual Reasoning', Epistemologia, 16, 1993, pp. 345-364.

5. L.L.Pasinetti, 'Due modi diversi di fare teoria economica.L'influenza recondita della storia', in P. Ciocca (a cura di) Le vie della storia in economia, Roma, Laterza, 2004.

    L.L. Pasinetti, Keynes e i Keynesiani di Cambridge, Roma, Laterza, 2010, parte III.

    R. Scazzieri, 'The Concept of "Natural Economic Systrem": a Tool for Structural Analysis and an Instrument for Policy Design', in R. Arena and P.L. Porta, eds., Structural   Dynamics and Economic Growth , Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2012, pp. 218-40.

    A. Pabst and R. Scazzieri, 'The Political Economy of Civil Society', Constitutional Political Economy, 2012 (4,  December), pp. 337-56.

6.   P. Leon, Stato, mercato e collettività, Torino, Giappichelli, 2007.
     
      P. Leon, Il capitalismo e lo stato. Crisi e trasformazione delle strutture economiche, Roma, Castelvecchi, 2014.

      L. L.Pasinetti, Keynes e i Keynesiani di Cambridge. Una "rivoluzione in economia" da portare acompimento,    Roma, Laterza, 2010.

La bibliografia analitica del corso è accessibile al sito web ufficiale del docente titolare dell'insegnamento.

Teaching methods

Lectures, classes, reading groups

Assessment methods

Active student participation in classwork is expected. Students are required to draft a short seminar paper (2,000-2,500 words) and a long  research essay (4,500-5,000 words).

Teaching tools

Office hours

See the website of Roberto Scazzieri