The objective of the course is to train students to think as economists. To this end, the course choses to focus on different topics of a specific developing region, the middle east and north African region. Around specific concerns in the Mediterranean region, we will develop student’s critical thinking skills and allow them to analyse information on a given subject or recent events (eg. Arab spring, women empowerment, etc.). The topics are of interest to many but should be seen as tools to serves the purpose of the intellectual exercise of studying a phenomenon using economic thinking. This course will provide students with a general knowledge of advanced economics while using underlying theoretical concepts.
Course outline:
Introduction – Main issues in the Mediterranean countries
Part 1: Resources allocation in MENA
1.2 Openness to trade and Development
1.3 Private sector: What’s holding back in the region ?
1.4 Women entrepreneurship and empowerment
Part 2: The Arab spring
2.1 Facts and empirics on institutional change and development
2.2 Benchmark theories: democratization games
2.3 Understandings the Arab spring