• Classify and compare the key theories used to analyse and understand the statebusiness relations and welfare states regimes in advanced industrialized economies;
• Discuss, via theoretical frameworks, how external pressures upon national economic systems are mediated by domestic actors.
• Relate empirical knowledge of the main trends and dynamics in the transformation of different kinds of advanced industrial economies, primarily through comparative research from the student’s independent reading.

The course begins by introducing different theoretical approaches in the field of
comparative political economy, most notably the ‘varieties of capitalism approach’ as well
as constructivist and critical political economy perspectives. To assess the strengths and
weaknesses of these theoretical approaches they are discussed in relation to actual
national models of capitalism. Their different perspectives on how external pressures
upon national economic systems are mediated by domestic actors will also be highlighted.
The course then moves on to consider the transformation of the welfare state and various
ways of classifying and comparing welfare regimes. Then follow two workshop days that
serve as preparation for the course assignment. This assignment will briefly be discussed
during the second workshop day. In the last part of the course various topics of relevance
to state-business relations are considered. These are housing markets, capitalism in East
Asia, Corporate Governance, offshoring and competition policy. In the concluding lecture
the future of capitalism is considered in the light of the current crises and the main
theories and topics discussed during the course are summarised.

Important: You must read the Essential Readings prior to the lectures in order to
engage in discussions!