Comparative Political Economy and the Welfare State
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Undefined
Expected learning outcomes
Undefined
Lesson period: Second trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second trimester
Prerequisites for admission
No previous knowledge of comparative political economy and welfare state research is needed. Nonetheless, students should be familiar with basic political science, sociology and economics topics.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Students will be assessed on the basis of a written exam, aimed at verifying the students' knowledge and understanding. Attending students will have the chance to take an intermediate exam (covering module 1) and a final test (covering module 2), relying on required readings and class materials. The written exams, for both attending and non-attending students, combine a set of multiple-choice questions (up to 10) and a limited number of open questions (up to 5).
Module 1
Course syllabus
The course will address the following topics:
- Role of different factors (institutions, role of ideas, social capital, etc.) helping to explain economic growth and its characteristics
- The facets of different models and types of economic growth models around the world.
- Role of different factors (institutions, role of ideas, social capital, etc.) helping to explain economic growth and its characteristics
- The facets of different models and types of economic growth models around the world.
Teaching methods
Teaching will consist of lectures and seminars. There is an emphasis placed on students' active participation in class discussions, based on assigned readings. Students will be required to work in small groups; project groups.
Teaching Resources
Regini, M. (ed.) (2025), Handbook of Comparative Political Economy, Edgar Elgar. Selected chapters.
The syllabus, together with the list of compulsory readings, will be made available at the beginning of the course and posted on the course website (Ariel platform).
The syllabus, together with the list of compulsory readings, will be made available at the beginning of the course and posted on the course website (Ariel platform).
Module 2
Course syllabus
The course will address the following topics:
- The welfare state in historical perspective: origins and development;
- The welfare state in comparative perspective: welfare regimes and worlds of welfare;
- The crisis of the welfare state: exogenous and endogenous determinants;
- Contemporary challenges to the welfare state and welfare state change;
- Social policy reform in key policy areas.
- The welfare state in historical perspective: origins and development;
- The welfare state in comparative perspective: welfare regimes and worlds of welfare;
- The crisis of the welfare state: exogenous and endogenous determinants;
- Contemporary challenges to the welfare state and welfare state change;
- Social policy reform in key policy areas.
Teaching methods
Teaching will consist of lectures and seminars. There is an emphasis placed on students' active participation in class discussions, based on assigned readings. Students will be required to work in small groups; project groups.
Teaching Resources
Herbert Obinger et al. (eds.) The Oxford Handbook of the Welfare State, Oxford, Oxford University Press, latest edition. Selected chapters.
The syllabus, together with the list of compulsory readings, will be made available at the beginning of the course and posted on the course website (Ariel platform).
The syllabus, together with the list of compulsory readings, will be made available at the beginning of the course and posted on the course website (Ariel platform).
Modules or teaching units
Module 1
SECS-P/02 - ECONOMIC POLICY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Pavolini Emmanuele
Module 2
SPS/04 - POLITICAL SCIENCE - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Madama Ilaria
Professor(s)