Political Economy of Conflict

Oct 22: 10.15-11.45; Room: SCH 100.124

Jan 21-22: 9.00-18.00.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course combines the fundamental elements of political economy, development economics and conflict studies. We will examine how economic incentives, resources, and institutions drive civil wars, terrorism, and international violence, what are consequences of conflict for economic development and what is the role of such mediators as climate change and digitalization in violence. This course will address these questions relying on cutting-edge research in political science and development economics. The course will consist of both lectures and seminars where the students discuss both various theoretical concepts and models and assess the advantages and drawbacks of different empirical approaches. We will focus on countries of the Global South and draw connections to problems in the Global North (e.g. migration). The goal of the course is to demonstrate how to think critically about development theory and practice.

The lectures and student presentations cover, amongst others, the following topics:

•  International cooperation and conflict
• Natural resources, institutions and state capacity
• Individual participation in violence
• Climate and conflict
• Conflict and migration
• Post-conflict recovery and peacebuilding

Basic knowledge in quantitative analysis as well as micro- and macroeconomics is desired. While a strong mathematical or statistical background is not necessary to follow the course, students will be expected to engage with several papers using regression analysis and other econometric techniques. Prior knowledge in development economics and/or political economy is an advantage but not necessary.

Kurs im HIS-LSF