ID:
86053
Dettaglio:
SSD: Political Economy
Duration: 48
CFU: 6
Located in:
BERGAMO
Url:
ECONOMICS - 86-R/PERCORSO COMUNE Year: 1
Year:
2025
This course is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in the tools and analytical frameworks necessary to describe and understand the key determinants of long-term economic growth, as well as patterns of convergence and divergence across countries. Emphasis is placed on the integration of core theoretical concepts with empirical data analysis to examine the historical evolution of economic systems and their implications for socioeconomic development. By the end of the course, students will be expected to critically assess the role of fundamental growth factors, including institutions, markets, investment, human capital, and technological progress.
None
The teaching will be delivered primarily through traditional lectures, with particular emphasis on fostering student interaction and engagement.
The exam consists of a written test that includes true/false questions, multiple-choice questions, and open-ended questions/exercises. The test aims to verify students' ability to analyze and reason using economic tools. There are no additional oral exams.
The course will concentrate on the study of fundamental concepts in economic theory and the understanding of the evolution and history of economic systems, along with their implications for social development. This will be approached through both theoretical models and empirical analysis.
Part 1: Determinants of Economic Growth
The first part of the course will explore the primary drivers of economic growth. Particular attention will be given to the role of institutions, which can influence economic development in numerous ways. A stylized model of economic growth—such as the Solow growth model—will be introduced and analyzed in detail.
Specific topics include:
However, institutions are not historically exogenous; they are shaped by, and interact with, broader social factors such as pre-existing social norms. Accordingly, this section of the course will address the interaction and co-evolution of institutions and dominant cultural frameworks within societies.
Parte 2: Markets
The second part of the course will focus on the structure and functioning of key markets, including:
This section will also return to the stylized economic growth model (e.g., the Solow model) to analyze market dynamics within the broader context of economic development.
Specifically, the course will cover:
Introduction
Accumulation of Production Factors
Productivity: Measuring and Understanding
Foundations of Growth
Market Structures