UCL - Théorie et méthode de la décision politique

[SPRI2085]

[30h] 5 credits

Teacher(s): Jacques Herman

Language: French

Level: Second

Aims
Main themes
Content and teaching methods

Aims

The course focuses on the conduct of political action and political decision-making. It addresses these issues from the standpoint of macro- and micro-political analysis, and on the basis of an inter-disciplinary approach. The objective is to train decision-makers at various levels of public authorities.

Main themes

Theories of power, models of rationality, the issue of public choices, the theory of risk and uncertainty, games theory, the ethics and psychology of decision-making, and theo-ries of democracy.

Content and teaching methods

Content
- Introduction: Politics (field of action, the structuring of power and the meaning of ac-tion).
- Nature and framework of political action: Collective action (public choices and institu-tional rules) and the mechanisms of social choice.
- The processes and structures of decision-making: Public policies, decision-making (models, applications and methodology) and the dynamics of action.
Methodology
The course combines the theoretical explanations, practical applications and methodo-logical instruments needed for an understanding of political action. It will include a sylla-bus, expositions and reading.