The Politics of Economic Policymaking
| Module title | The Politics of Economic Policymaking |
|---|---|
| Module code | POL3321 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr Stephen Greasley (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 30 |
|---|
Module description
You will analyse contemporary challenges of domestic economic policy in the UK taking a comparative perspective. The module will focus in particular on growth, welfare policy and labour markets and will take into account institutional, political and historical constraints on policymakers. In the first half of the module you will focus on high level analysis of advanced capitalist economies. In the second half you will develop a policy paper on a contemporary issue of economic policy. For example, this might relate to the productivity challenge, the regulation of labour markets, skills policy, green industrial policy, regional policy.
A background in economics is not assumed but we will be reading general debates about economic policy and this will include some engagement with economic argumentation and data.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The module is intended to
(1) improve your understanding of economic policy challenges facing the UK and other advanced capitalist economies and
(2) to help you engage in policy debates and evaluate data and argumentation.
You will also understand more fully the political and institutional constraints facing policymakers.
The first part of the module will set out some key contemporary challenges of economic policy in the UK. We will ask how best to draw lessons about these challenges from other advanced economies: Is every economy different? Are there different types of economy? Are all advanced economies experiencing similar pressures? We will also look at how thinktanks and research institutes such as the Resolution Foundation; the Institute for Fiscal Studies and the Productivity Institute analyse such challenges.
In the second part of the module we will be much more focused on analysing particular policy controversies related to our broad topics. You will produce a policy paper informed by academic debates and political analysis on a policy issue related to the module.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Evaluate and apply key approaches to analysing comparative political economy
- 2. Explain and analyse the features of key economic policy challenges facing advanced capitalist economies
- 3. Research and analyse in depth a key economic policy challenge
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Use and evaluate evidence and argumentation in policy analysis
- 5. Demonstrate awareness of political and institutional constraints on policymaking
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Work independently on an extended analysis of a policy
- 7. Professionally present your ideas verbally and in writing
- 8. Gather and assess sources and evidence
Syllabus plan
Whilst the precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover all or some of the following topics:
Term 1
- The big challenges in economic policy for the UK and advanced capitalist economies
- Economies, labour regimes and welfare states – comparative institutional analysis
- The UK government’s economic strategy
Term 2
- The politics of economic policymaking
- Expertise and evidence in economic policymaking
- Current controversies
- Reading and writing policy analysis
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | 256 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 44 | 22x 2 hour seminars |
| Guided Independent Study | 100 | Reading and preparation for seminars |
| Guided Independent Study | 19 | Completion of formative assessment: Essay Plan (10); Report Planning (9) |
| Guided Independent Study | 137 | Completion of summative assessment: Short Essay (37); Progress Report (15); Policy Report (85) |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay plan | 500 words | 1,2, 6 | Written or verbal |
| Report planning | 10 minutes | 6, 7 | Verbal |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short Essay | 30 | 2000 words | 1,2, 6 | Written |
| In class progress reports | 10 | 10 minutes/1000 words | 6, 7 | Written or oral |
| Policy Report | 60 | 3000 words | 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short Essay (2000 words) | Short Essay (2000 words) | 1, 2, 6 | Reassessment period |
| Progress reports (10 minutes / 1000 words) | Progress reports (10 minutes / 1000 words) | 6, 7 | Reassessment period |
| Policy Report (3000 words) | Policy Report (3000 words) | 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 | Reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Clift, B. (2021) Comparative Political Economy: States, Markets and Global Capitalism. London: Red Globe Press.
- Hay, C. (2020) “Does capitalism (still) come in varieties?” Review of International Political Economy, 27(2), 302-319.
- Green, J., 2023. “Comparative capitalisms in the Anthropocene: a research agenda for green transition.2 New political economy, 28(3), pp.329-346.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- Resolution Foundation (2023) Ending Stagnation : A new economic strategy for Britain. https://economy2030.resolutionfoundation.org/reports/ending-stagnation/
- Stansbury, A., Turner, D., & Balls, E. (2023). “Tackling the UK’s regional economic inequality: binding constraints and avenues for policy intervention.” Contemporary Social Science, 18(3–4), 318–356. https://doi.org/10.1080/21582041.2023.2250745
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 07/02/2025 |
| Last revision date | 07/02/2025 |
