INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

This course is part of the "Economics, Markets and Finance" program. In this course, students will be provided with the basic tools for understanding the meaning of "International Economics" and of "Development Studies" starting from a brief overview of economic studies as they were intended by classical economists and the subsequent schools of thought. On the one hand they will be provided with basic understanding of the main theories in international economics, including theories on the opportunities and challenges arising from trade exchanges between countries and the policy implications connected to such theories. On the other hand they will confront with theories on the foundation of economic and human development, including theories on structural adjustment.
Emphasis will be placed on the economic aspects of the processes of globalisation, internationalisation and economic development, including issues of industrialisation, trade, inequality, poverty, structural adjustment and innovation. The course is entirely taught in English.

Students will be able to apply the main theories in International Economics and Development Studies to the analysis of past and current phenomena in the international scenario. They will be able to apply tools of analysis to topics such as: the organization of contemporary industrial production, the globalization of markets, the relationship between industrialized and emerging economies, structural adjustment, the role of international institutions.

Microeconomics' exam should be taken before this course

Some basic starting points:
Recap of basic concepts in history of economic thought (Political economy, economics, marginalists revolution, keynesian revolution);

Development Studies
What is development? Major schools of thought in Development Economics;
How can we measure development ?
Issues in development: poverty and inequality;
Growth versus development; structural adjustment and industrialisation;

International economics
Basic concepts in trade and trade policy (comparative advantages versus competitive advantages):
Globalization: the Bretton Wood system and how it has changed;
The role of international institutions (IMF; WB);
The role and the debate over industrial development policy;
Industrial and trade development strategies: Import substitution, export orientation and their tools;

International experiences in trade policies and development
Case studies (Cina/Africa/USA);

Raj Debraj (1998), Development Economics, New Jersey: Princeton University Press – chapters 6, 7, 10, 17;
Diana Hunt (1989), Economic Theories of Development: An Analysis of Competing Paradigms, London: Harvester Wheatsheaf – chapter 2, 3;
Chang H. J. (2011), 23 Things they do not tell you about capitalism, Bloomsbury Press – Thing 1, 7, 11;

Students acquisition of course concepts will be verified though a written exam

Lectures, seminar and class discussions

English

Due to the health-emergency the exams of June 2020 will be online. An oral examination will take place through online conference.

written

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Poverty and inequalities" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development