Political Economics
Researchers in political economics are interested in issues on the border between economics and political science. Why does the economic policy of a country change over time? Why are some countries and regions richer and more successful than others?
Research in this area is both theoretical and empirical. Large amounts of data are analysed, including how welfare initiatives, monetary policy and economic growth are both controlled by and affect the economy, legislation and various institutions in society.
One of our current projects analyses how economic policy is influenced by the media. Another explores how different aspects of the introduction and development of democracy in Sweden in the late 19th and early 20th centuries affected economic policy initiatives in the municipalities. A third project examines differences in prosperity among different countries, for example, the factors which lead to some countries being not only poor, but also governed by a poorly functioning state apparatus which tends to solve conflicts through the use of violence. What are the mechanisms that enable some countries to emerge from these conditions?
Research is conducted primarily at the Institute for International Economic Studies, but also in the Department of Economics. Since its inception in the 1960s, the Institute has had a major influence both within and outside academia. In many cases it has contributed to the emergence of new research fields. The research group in political economics is an international leader in the field. As well as counting a significant number of foreign scholars as members, the group enjoys extensive collaboration with international researchers. In recent years, several researchers have received major grants from the European Research Council (ERC).
Web editor:
Paul Parker
Last updated:
November 23, 2011
Source: Communications Office
