HS/PO 395 - The German Social Market Economy

The course introduces students to the German model of “social market economy”. Students will learn how political institutions and decisions shape the socio-economic order and understand the historical developments that resulted in the specific German model of market economy. After discussing the most important aspects of the German model, the first part of the course will be devoted to German political and social history and the specific interdependence of social market economy and democracy in the German historical context. The second part of the course will focus on specific aspects and current challenges of German social market economy, such as the integration of women in the German labour market, the refugee crisis, or the fundamental changes to energy production with the end of nuclear power in Germany. Students will be encouraged to ask question on the political importance of socio-economic developments and to compare them to recent trends in other parts of the world, including the United States.