It is likely important for all people in the USA, Sweden, and Austria to be healthy, but the healthcare systems in these countries differ significantly. The same applies to the job market ("Job security for honest workers vs. Hire and Fire for innovation strength?"), the regulation of the financial sector ("Tax money for rich bankers vs. Systemic relevance of banks?"), or the healthcare system ("Free treatment for all vs. Private insurance system?"). What explains these differences? To understand the role as a participant in a democratic society—whether as a decision-maker, voter, or taxpayer—one needs an understanding of the forces and dynamics that explain these differences. In this course, you will analyze how governments make policies and why countries find different solutions to societal problems.

In this context, we will examine several policy areas that are essential for societal cohesion, such as labor market policy, regulation of the financial sector, or healthcare policy. The course is aimed at students who want to connect economics with politics. Please note that Courses I and II are connected in content. Course I provides an introduction to different explanatory approaches, while Course II offers the opportunity to apply these explanatory approaches in specific policy areas.

• The students can describe the central characteristics of the labor market, corporate governance, healthcare system, family policy, etc.
• The students have a basic understanding of how the institutions and regulations of these policy areas differ in various countries.
• The students can apply different explanatory approaches adequately to explain the existing differences between countries.
• The students can evaluate which of the respective theories is the most accurate explanatory approach for the existing differences.

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
• Class discussions
• Active performances in individual or group work

• Active participation in the discussion work (25%)
• Writing tasks (20%)
• Presentation and discussion of an individual topic in a team (25%)
• Final exam (30%)

Order of registration: only a limited number of students can be admitted. Students who are not present in the first class lose their spot in the course, which will be given to students on the waiting list. On the other note, the course "Modern Societies I" is highly recommended as a prerequisite!

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