K2SP 3430 - Governing Better: A Political Economy of the State

This is a course about how to improve the functioning of government by understanding the interplay between politics, policy, and public administration. It explores the deep organizational and institutional challenges that shape how democracies work — or fail to. From how we elect politicians to how we recruit bureaucrats, from the design of federal systems to the execution of public procurement, the course investigates why good policies so often fall short and what can be done about it.

Drawing on political economy theory and real-world examples, the course helps students develop a practical understanding of how states function — and malfunction — in the face of political constraints, bureaucratic complexity, and fiscal limits. We examine foundational models such as the median voter theorem and citizen- candidate framework, as well as more applied challenges like digital governance, AI in the public sector, and policy learning.

The course is interactive and applied. Students engage with key academic concepts and test them against contemporary public sector problems. Guest lectures from policymakers and practitioners offer first-hand perspectives. Through group presentations and a final project simulating stakeholder persuasion, students are encouraged to think like reformers — crafting policy proposals that are both politically feasible and administratively sound.

This course is designed to be highly interactive, with a strong emphasis on connecting academic research to real-world public sector challenges. Sessions will usually be structured as follows:

• Instructor-led overview (40%): We will begin with a guided introduction to the topic, using insights from existing research and real-world examples to frame the key questions.
• Student presentations and discussion (35%): Starting in Session 2, students will present assigned readings based on recent empirical studies. These presentations will be followed by open discussions to unpack the findings, raise questions, and relate them to practical government settings.
• Collective reflection and policy exploration (25%): In the final part of each session, we will take stock of what we’ve learned and work together to think through policy solutions and institutional reforms that could address the challenges we've discussed.

The goal is not just to understand how governments work (and sometimes fail), but to explore how they can work better—drawing on the best available evidence and the practical experience of participants. The course includes a mix of regular-length and extended sessions. The longer sessions are designed to allow more time for in-depth discussion and collaborative work on particularly complex or policy-relevant topics, as well as for student presentations and applied workshops. This format is meant to foster critical thinking, creativity, and practical skills that students can carry into careers in government, consulting, or policy advising.

25% In class participation (attendance + discussion slides)

25% group presentations during the semester

• 50% final project (Policy Note)
• Clarity of topic framing
• Quality of the Policy Proposal
• Feasibility of the Implementation Plan
• Effectiveness of the Final Presentation – you need to imagine you are trying to persuade your stakeholders (both politicians and others, e.g. citizens and unions)