Political Economics

lecge1115  2020-2021  Louvain-la-Neuve

Political Economics
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information below is subject to change, in particular that concerning the teaching mode (presential, distance or in a comodal or hybrid format).
5 credits
45.0 h + 15.0 h
Q1
Teacher(s)
Oikonomou Rigas; Vannoorenberghe Gonzague;
Language
French
Main themes
The course begins with the presentation of the major principles of economics, how economists think and gains in the exchange. The first major chapter on the functioning of markets (demand, supply, elasticity, market efficiency). The second chapter discusses the role of the public sector (externalities, public goods and resources, tax system). We went in a third chapter to the industrial economy and analyzing the behavior of enterprises in different market structures (perfect competition, monopoly, oligopoly). Just then, in a fourth chapter, the analysis of two more advanced topics: the labour market and consumer choice. The final chapters covered in the courses related to macroeconomic analysis: the real economy in the long term (production and growth, financial system), the monetary system, the analysis of the open economy and economic fluctuations of short-term .
Aims

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

1 Economists have a way to study the economic and social realities of their own, and can present properly, immediately without going into details of the micro-economic theory sometimes too abstract deals with the customer, producer and the general equilibrium theory and models in macro-economy. This first course in political economy provides an overview of economic principles and what is really important to know to start in economics. The course adopts an inductive approach, in the sense that the starting point based on issues that speak directly to students, through these issues present important concepts of the economy and illustrate the particularity of the discipline. Thus, the course aims to answer the following questions: What actually are the market forces? Why Is this, in certain circumstances, an efficient organization of economic activity? What are the advantages and limits of free trade? How tax affects there on market mechanisms? What is the role of money? How to explain the diversity of living standards around the world? What is the role of the state in a market economy? The course also introduces the role played by economists in economic policy. This inductive approach contrasts sharply with the deductive approach courses micro and macro. We believe that both approaches complement each other harmoniously for those who wish to pursue the BAC ECGE and inductive approach that allows other, less inclined to the formalization of the major principles of economy and way of thinking economists.
 
Content
The objective of this course is to introduce the basic economic principles and concepts. It is divided into two parts that correspond to two different but complementary ways to apprehend the economic reality: microeconomic analysis and macroeconomic analysis. Microeconomics studies the choices made by individual economic agents (consumers, workers, firms, investors,...) and the working of markets (for consumption goods, intermediary goods, labor, capital,...). Macroeconomics studies the economy at large and the relations existing between aggregate variables like growth, employment, inflation,...
We will post the slides online on Moodle. The book Economics by Acemoglu, Laibson et List is a good additional reference.
Evaluation methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

The final evaluation is an written exam.
Teaching materials
  • "Economics" by Acemoglu, Laibson et List
Faculty or entity
ESPO


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Aims
Minor in Economics (open)

Bachelor in Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Minor in Sustainable Development

Bachelor in Economics and Management

Interdisciplinary Advanced Master in Science and Management of the Environment and Sustainable Development

Minor in Mangement (basic knowledge)

Bachelor in Mathematics

Bachelor in Geography : General

Bachelor : Business Engineering

Master [120] in Environmental Science and Management