This course surveys key topics of active research in political economics. We will provide an analytical framework to study the strategic interaction between political and economic systems. However, the emphasis of the course will be empirical, focusing on theory-to-data approaches including both structural research and reduced-form evidence under the potential outcomes framework. Topics cover the analysis of voting institutions and political behavior, the constraints imposed by political institutiions on economic policy and outcomes, and the role of special interests in politics through the lobbying process.

Course Syllabus