Term 2

Module lecturer

KEITH COWLING

Aims

To study the industrial roots of the contemporary macroeconomy. The module is most suitable for those with a strong interest in the evolution of modern capitalism and the development of appropriate community industrial strategies at local, national and multinational levels.

Learning outcomes

The development of a holistic view of the evolution and development of the global economy and a broad appreciation of how appropriate policies may contribute to the avoidance of strategic failure.

Contents

The following elements provide an integrated structure:

• The development of oligopolistic structures and the evolution of income shares.
• Macroeconomic conditions necessary for the realisation of profits.
• The process of merger and the evolution of managerialism.
• Labour and oligopoly capitalism.
• Transnational corporations and contemporary globalism.
• Industrial strategy-making within modern capitalism.

Organisation

Lectures-Discussions, plus a series of student presentations, scattered throughout the term: Second Term – 2 hours per week.

Pre-requisites

A wide reading of economics. (Some specific background in Industrial Economics would be very useful, but is not a pre-requisite.)

Key readings

No “key readings”, but a willingness to handle a fairly long reading list is required.

Assessment

2 hours unseen examination in May. (Essays during the term will be assessed, but simply for the personal development of the student.)