OAGE 2025 - Fighting against inequalities and social risks in the 21st century: A Global Perspective

The objective of the course is to allow students to understand how inequalities and social risks are tackled differently across the globe. On the one hand, the course discusses the role of public policy in fighting inequalities across OECD, Latin American, Eastern European and East Asian countries. On the other, it clarifies how the massive political economy changes that took place since the end of the 1960s are conditioning the capacity of different countries to fight against inequality and insure citizens against social risks.

Learning Outcomes

• A global understanding of social policy and welfare state modes of intervention
• A broad understanding of macro political economy dynamics, e.g. the role of productive models in deterring inequality, the role of crisis
• Understanding of the role of public policy for economic redistribution

Professional Skills

• Knowledge of the international political economy and public policy (a skill that can be useful to apply for a wide range of jobs at the international level)
• Ability to discuss complex issues
• Critical thinking

None

Class debates per group

• Presentation of readings and Debate (40% of grade). During the first class, students will be divided into six groups. Each group will be responsible to present a book or a series of readings provided by the lecturer and introduce a debate (during Lectures 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7). The time allocated for the exercise is fifty minutes (20 minutes of presentation and 30 of discussion). Each group will be assessed on: (1) the capacity to clearly illustrate the content of each assigned reading, (2) the capacity to introduce the debate, (3) the ability to stimulate a lively discussion with the rest of the class. The readings and debates are listed in the weekly reading list.
• Summary and critique of weekly readings (50% of grade): Each student will summarize and critique the readings for one selected session (students can pick up any session and make use also of the additional reading list provided in a separate file). The paper is worth 50% of the grade. The page limit is three 1.5-spaced pages (use 12-point Times New Roman font).
• Class attendance and participation (10% of grade): Each student is expected to participate fully in class discussions.

• In Class Presence: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
• Reading and Preparation for Class: 3 hours a week / 36 hours a semester
• Research and Preparation for Group Work: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
• Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 5 hours a week / 60 hours a semester