The course will provide theoretical foundations, historical development, examples of practical policy implementation and mayor strands of current debates in ‘modern Industrial Policy’.  The topic is very timely as there is currently a renewed and intense debate about the role, the scope and the limits of state intervention in economic development. After a general introduction on the concept, the rationale and the history of industrial policy in general, subtopics will be selected for further in-depth elaboration and discussion. These sub-topics include e.g. Industrial Policies fostering a transition to a sustainable economy, Industrial Policies for ‘catching-up’ countries, Industrial Policies for the digital economy and Industrial Policies aiming at increasing the rate of innovation and technological progress.

At the end of the course, the students should have an in-depth understanding of the basic concepts underlying Industrial Policy and should be able the critically assess the different approaches in current debates. They should have demonstrated the ability to apply this knowledge to one of the areas of current debate and to weigh the pros and cons of the different approaches in the respective context.  

Attendance is mandatory, Students may miss two lectures if they provide sufficient justification for absence in written form. The attendance of the first unit is strictly mandatory as all organizational and practical issues are clarified in this unit.

The course will employ a range of teaching methods. In the first units, a general introduction is given by the instructor. This introduction will cover the theoretical foundations and the historical development of Industrial Policy. After the introductory block, a written interim test will be held. In the next phase, in-depth elaboration of specific areas will be done by groups of students interactively, assisted by the instructor and resulting in a short paper. These elaborations will be presented to and critically discussed by all participants. Finally, there will be a final exam, covering the whole of the course’ content.

The final assessment is composed of the following components: Class participation (20%), written exams (40%), paper and presentation (40%)

If a student does not attend, his/her place will be given to a student on the waiting list