What determines the size of government deficits during the course of the electoral cycle? Why are some governments more likely to implement economic reforms? And what explains why some countries have weak institutions, while others have developed into stable democracies? A rapidly developing literature in political economics aims to answer these type of questions. During this course we offer tools that are required to understand modern-day political economics. On the basis of recent research papers, we provide an overview of state-of-the-art theoretical models. In turn, these models are used in econometric applications to answer policy relevant questions. We start with an introduction focusing on the importance of heterogeneity in politics. We focus on partisan differences and the relation with economic policy and preferences. We continue with voting theory. To understand elections we cover median voter theory, probabilistic voting as well as retrospective voting models. The latter is used to understand where political budget cycles come from. The second part of the course focuses on (the origins of) political institutions and their relation with economic development. We develop a theory of political transition and apply it to suffrage extension. Finally, we discuss models of state capacity and relate it to conflict and development. Besides the lectures, a workshop is organized in which students are invited to present their own political economic research. Selection for the summer school is based on an extended abstract (max. 2 pages). A few slots are available to students without a paper.

Course leader
Prof. Dr. Jakob de Haan (De Nederlandsche Bank & University of Groningen)Dr. Toke Aidt (University of Cambridge)Dr. Richard Jong-A-Pin (University of Groningen)

Target group
Research Master, PhD

Credits info
3 ECTS Students who are willing to take the exam will receive 3 EC. Otherwise students will receive a certificate of attendance.

Fee info
EUR 1000: The fee (1000,-) includes:housing (seven nights); participation in the programme; course materials; coffee, tea and refreshments; five lunches; one dinner and a city tour + formal welcoming ceremony.

University of Groningen
Address: Broerstraat 5 Groningen
Postal code: 9721 CP
City: Groningen
Country: Netherlands
Website: http://rug.nl/summerschools
E-mail: summerschools@rug.nl
Phone: 0031 6 28216256