PLT2910

Australian political economy

Dennis Woodward

8 points
* 3 hours per week
* Second semester
* Clayton

Objectives On successful completion of this subject students should have an understanding of past policies which shaped Australia's economic development, the impact which changes in the global economy have had on the Australian economy and politics, and the policy debates associated with economic restructuring since 1983.

Synopsis The subject examines the political economic process in Australia. It does not require any special expertise in economics. It concentrates on unravelling the causes of Australia's relative economic decline since the 1970s and on the debates and policies designed to restructure the Australian economy within the global economy. Topics include `economic rationalism' and its critics; financial deregulation; tariff reduction; and industry policy and `microeconomic reform'. The positions adopted by the major political parties on these issues will be a prime focus.

Assessment second year Essay (3000 words): 40%
* Tutorial participation: 10%
* Examination (3 hours): 50%
Assessment third year Essay (3000 words): 40%
* Tutorial participation: 10%
* Examination (3 hours): 50%
* Third-year students are required to answer at least one exam question designed to be of a higher conceptual level than is required of second-year students.

Prescribed texts

Bell S Ungoverning the economy: The political economy of Australian economic policy OUP, 1997