Why do some governments use taxpayers' money to bail out private banks, while others do not? Which dimensions of political and social contexts need to be taken into account for successful corporate management? Anyone developing strategies needs a basic political understanding in order to be able to assess the future development of the business environment. This basic understanding arises from an examination of the relevant questions in times of polarisation and globalisation: What holds a society together? Why is there inequality within the population? Whose preferences are taken into account by politicians? In this course, you will learn about fundamental political and social dynamics and actors and develop an understanding of how they shape social and economic policy. In this context, we will analyse the role of institutions, interest groups and politicians, but also norms, culture and power. The course is aimed at students who want to combine economics with politics. Please note that courses I and II are linked in terms of content. Course I provides an introduction to the different explanatory approaches, course II offers the opportunity to apply these explanatory approaches to specific policy fields.

• Students know the central concepts and categories for understanding modern societies.
• Students can adequately describe various theories that explain the relationships between politics and economics.
• Students will be able to identify the differences and similarities between various explanatory approaches.
• Students are able to evaluate the historical accuracy of the various explanatory approaches.

Courses with continuous assessment of student performance (PI) have mandatory attendance. The attendance requirement is met if students are present for at least 80% of the course. Students who do not fulfil the minimum attendance requirement must be deregistered from the PI in good time. In the event of absence, the course lecturer must be informed in advance if possible.

• Preparatory reading
• Lectures by the course instructor
• Plenary discussions
• Written and oral assignments in individual or group work

• Repeated written evidence of careful text reading (16%)
• Illustration of a key concept (10%)
• Development and discussion of an individual topic in a team (25%)
• Active participation in the discussion work (19%)
• Final exam (30%)

Order of registration. Only a limited number of students will be accepted. Students who do not attend the first class will lose their place in the course, which will be allocated to students on the waiting list.

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