Introduction to Political Economy - 56410 

This course focuses on central controversies regarding the interface of the political and economic spheres. Within it we will discuss central subjects in the field such as: capitalism, free market, market failures, economic growth, welfare state, globalization, macroeconomic policy, inequality, economic crisis, etc. The discussion will be around the axis of arguments in favor and against state intervention in the market. Along the course we will read mainly contemporary texts in the field.

Well-Being indicators - 56877 

Recent years have witnessed the development and implementation of many kinds of national indicators and new measurement frameworks supposed to represent the wellbeing, welfare or quality-of-life of societies and nations. This development has gained the attention of governments and international institutions, such as the EU, OECD and UN, each of which chooses or develops their own indicators or indices of indicators to represent well-being.  Among the many kinds of indicators and new measurement frameworks one can distinguish between three basic categories: accounting/monetary approaches, objective conditions approaches and subjective approaches (often conducted by broad surveys of life satisfaction). Each of these three categories has its own particular intellectual roots, trajectory of scientific development and history of implementation, as well as an extensive literature concerning its analytical advantages and pitfalls.

Topics in the History of Economic Thought - 54125 

The course will address selected themes in the history of economic thought, focusing on the classical economics, neoclassical economics and 20th century major developments. Readings in the course will combine both primary and secondary texts. A special emphasis will be put on the intellectual contexts within which concepts were developed.