The Political Economy of Inequality

What it is about

You engage with the political economy of inequality from a global and comparative perspective. You will learn how inequality (income, wealth, multidimensional) is measured and explained, how the state responds through taxation, redistribution and social policy, and what consequences inequality has for policy, trust and social cohesion. In the end you will be able to compare country cases, evaluate explanations and develop and present your own comparative research question.

What you will be able to do

• Explain concepts and measurement approaches to income, wealth and multidimensional inequality
• Compare essential economic, institutional, political and historical explanations
• Analyze country cases with political-economic concepts and empirical evidence
• Evaluate competing explanations and political responses across contexts
• Develop and argue a comparative research question in a team
• Present project results in a structured and oral manner
• Critically reflect on personal performance, learning process and limits of group analysis

What the module consists of

• BlockseminarCombines short interactive lecture segments with discussions, case analyses, group exercises and project workshops
• GruppenprojektCentral assessment: development and work on a comparative research question up to presentation and written reflection
• PräsentationFinal presentation of the group work with individual presentation performance and subsequent discussion

Teaching method

• Kurze interaktive LecturesConveying concepts as a basis for discussion
• Geführte Diskussion akademischer TexteDeepening and critical engagement with theories and evidence
• Vergleichende Fallanalyse und GruppenübungenApplication of theoretical and methodological tools to examples from Global North and Global South
• Projektworkshops mit formative RückmeldungenSupport in developing and revising the group project
• Unabhängige LiteraturrechercheEnables independent argument development and evidence gathering