Course 2007-2008 a.y.

Go to class group/s: 31

CLEA (6 credits - I sem. - AI) - CLAPI (6 credits - I sem. - AI) - CLEFIN (6 credits - I sem. - AI) - CLELI (6 credits - I sem. - AI) - CLEACC (6 credits - I sem. - AI) - DES (6 credits - I sem. - AI) - CLEMIT (6 credits - I sem. - AI) - DIEM (6 credits - I sem. - RR) - CLSG (6 credits - I sem. - AI)

Course Director:
PAOLO EPIFANI

Course Objectives

The main aim of the course is to help understand the main features of the current wave of globalizationin product and factor markets. The first part of the course analyzes the theory and empirics of economic growth and the impact of globalization and of national and international institutions on economic development. The second part illustrates some new issues raised by globalization and the theories recently developed to address them. In particular, it will focus on: a) the effects of economic integration on the direction of technical change and wage income inequality (e.g., is it true that globalization causes the rich to get richer and the poor to get poorer?); b) the effects of globalization on the spatial distribution of economic activity (will globalization strengthen agglomeration trends?); c) the political economy of trade policy (why is it that governments often opt for protectionism even when it reduces national income?); d) the impact of globalization on the welfare state and of domestic institutions on international specialization.

Course Content Summary

Part 1

• Understanding economic growth: theory and evidence
• Absolute versus conditional income convergence
• The impact of globalization on institutions and economic development
• The role of global institutions and foreign donors in the development of poor Nations
• Human capital and global health

 Part 2

• Overview of the controversy between free trade and protectionism
• The political economy of trade policy
• On the origins of comparative advantage: institutions, culture and international specialization
• Globalization and the spatial distribution of economic activity
• Global sourcing and inequality
• Globalization, insecurity and the welfare state

 

Detailed Description of Assessment Methods

Written

Textbooks

• H.P. Bowen, A. Hollander and J.m. Viaene (1998) Applied International Trade Analysis, Macmillan Press, Hong Kong.
• P.R. Krugman and M. Obstfeld (2006) International Economics. Theory & Policy, Addison Wesley, 7th Edition.
• Additional readings will be available at the beginning of the course.

For further and continuously updated information consult the IEP web site or contact S.I.D. - Servizio Informazione Didattica - Institute of Economics - via Gobbi, 5 - Room 313.

Exam textbooks & Online Articles (check availability at the Library)

Last change 04/06/2007 10:28