State, Business and Civil Society: Policy Decisions in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Code

SOCI4101

School

Sociology and Social Policy

Level

4

Credits

20

Semesters

Autumn UK

Summary

This module starts with the following questions: how do policies change and what is the role of policy actors in low- and middle-income countries ( LMIC)? What is the role of political elites with a focus on state actors, and what is the role of interest groups? Can less powerful groups effect policy change; if so, how?

The module will analyse the role of interest groups and government actors in shaping social/public policy decisions. To achieve this end the module will be divided into two sections. Section one addresses the state, business sector and civil society. The second section presents detailed case studies about the politics of change in regard to topics such as: climate change, labour market policies, education, health policies, tourism, fiscal, and monetary policies in LMIC. The first part will set the analytical tools for the second part.

The first part of the module will present various academic debates on state-society relationships in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) and the politics of change. The theoretical discussion will highlight the role of the state, business interests, and civil society in the policymaking process. The debates that will be presented will also focus on the concept of power, political and economic institutions, and the agency of actors. The sessions will discuss the collective actions of interest groups and various paths to influence policy decisions. The second part of the module will highlight case studies from the LMIC. 

Target Students

Available to all PGT and PGR students including subsidiary students from outside the school. Also available to postgraduate Exchange students. SOCI4101 cannot be taken with SOCI4100.

Classes

This module is taught through a combination of lectures and seminars.

Assessment

• 40% Coursework 1: 1,500 words.
• 60% Coursework 2: 2,500 words.

Assessed by end of autumn semester

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

1. Describe political institutions and interest groups in LMIC and their collective actions in shaping policy decisions.
2. Recognise the role of civil society and social movements in influencing public and social policies.

Intellectual Skills

1. Critically discuss different approaches, concept and theories to study state-society relationship in LMIC.
2. Assess the role of the business sector in shaping public policies and critically discuss the extent to which they are independent from the influence of state actors (and vice versa).

Professional/Practical Skills

1. Analyse real-life case studies by applying theories and concepts around power relations and political institutions.
2. Reflect on interaction between power elites and less powerful actors, and the different strategies they employ in order to influence change.

Transferable (Key) Skills

1. Collect, analyse and synthesise materials from and about LMIC.
2. Build and communicate complex ideas and arguments in a clear and coherent manner.

Conveners

• Dr Noor Alabbas