Aims

By the end of the course, students should have a good understanding of the principles of economics and indus-trial policy, and be able to apply these principles to particular cases.

Main themes

The course is given over to an economic analysis of micro-economic policies: competition policy, industrial policy and trade policy. The aim is to enable students to understand the interrelationships between shifts in mi-cro-economic theory and implementation of these policies. To this end, the course compares theoretical models with an analysis of deregulation, and offers an analysis of situations where it has been applied. The focus is on policies implemented at European level, and particularly in the framework of the deregulation of competition.

Content and teaching methods

Content: Part of the course is devoted to the economic basis of European competition policy. In respect of each of the three components of this policy (i.e. a ban on agreements, abuse of dominant positions and control of concentrations), the course will examine the economic motivations at the root of regulation (from a theoretical point of view), and limitations on the contributions that economists can make to lawyers with responsibility for applying the regulation. This part will highlight the main problems encountered in implementing a competition policy. Each of the components will also be the subject of a detailed analysis of a particular field of application. The rest of the course is given over to an analysis of other microeconomic policies, and particularly of their objectives and limitations. The consistency between the various micro-economic policies will then be analysed in terms of disputes and complementary factors, and on the basis of an analysis of their implementation in spe-cific fields of activity.

Method: A discussion organised in such a way as to exercise economic reasoning, and to encourage students to be aware of the practical usefulness and applicability of theoretical concepts, and enable them to apply the prin-ciple to a particular case.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Two-year degree courses in Economic Sciences.

50% on the basis of participation in discussions (participation and content), and 50% on the basis of the content of solicited written contributions for, and their oral presentation.

References will be provided at the beginning of the course.

Programmes in which this activity is taught

Other credits in programs