Sem (MA) The Political Economy of Industrial Policy in the Digital, Green and Geoeconomic Transition

Dozent:innen: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Helen Callaghan
Kurzname: Sem industrialpolicy
Kurstyp: Seminar

Voraussetzungen / Organisatorisches


Gültig für folgende vom Institut angebotenen Studiengänge:
- MA PÖIB (Modul 4 Politische Ökonomie und Wohlfahrtsstaatlichkeit)
- MA PÖIB (Modul 6 Inhaltliche Vertiefung mit interdisziplinärer Orientierung)

Anwesenheitspflicht

Wer in der ersten Sitzung unentschuldigt fehlt, verliert den Anspruch auf den Seminarplatz (Entschuldigung per Mail an Dozent*in ist ausreichend, kein ärztliches Attest erforderlich).

Inhalt

Industrial policy has returned to the center of political and economic debate. Across Europe and other advanced economies, governments are increasingly intervening in markets to address challenges arising from geopolitical rivalry, climate change, technological transformation, and supply-chain vulnerabilities. The resurgence of industrial policy raises fundamental questions about the role of the state in shaping economic development, fostering innovation, securing strategic sectors, and managing large-scale societal transitions.
This seminar examines the political economy of contemporary industrial policy in Europe. It explores how policymakers seek to reconcile the competing demands of the green transition, digital transformation, and geoeconomic realignment while operating under conditions of fiscal constraint, political contestation, and international interdependence. The course analyzes industrial policy not only as a set of economic instruments but also as a political project involving conflicts over resources, distribution, competitiveness, and social legitimacy.
Drawing on scholarship in comparative and international political economy, students will investigate topics such as strategic autonomy, economic security, state capacity, innovation policy, industrial restructuring, and the governance of technological change. Particular attention is paid to the interaction between European and national industrial strategies, the changing role of firms and business models in strategic sectors, and the historical experiences that inform current policy debates.
Through engagement with contemporary research and policy discussions, the seminar provides students with the analytical tools needed to understand the renewed prominence of industrial policy and its implications for the future of European capitalism and economic governance.

Zusätzliche Informationen

Students are expected to prepare for the seminar sessions, participate actively in class; and write, present and provide peer feedback on a 1000-word research proposal on one of the topics discussed in the course. The language of instruction is English; papers can be submitted in English and German.
The course is offered as a block seminar. Sessions will take place on the dates listed below.
These dates do not overlap with the dates of the MA seminar offered by Julian Bergmann. It is therefore possible to enroll in both.

Termine

Datum (Wochentag) Zeit Ort
23.10.2026 (Freitag) 13:30 - 15:00 02 607 Seminarraum
1137 - Georg-Forster-Gebäude (Sowi)
30.10.2026 (Freitag) 13:30 - 18:00 02 607 Seminarraum
1137 - Georg-Forster-Gebäude (Sowi)
20.11.2026 (Freitag) 13:30 - 18:00 02 607 Seminarraum
1137 - Georg-Forster-Gebäude (Sowi)
18.12.2026 (Freitag) 13:30 - 18:00 02 607 Seminarraum
1137 - Georg-Forster-Gebäude (Sowi)
22.01.2027 (Freitag) 13:30 - 18:00 02 607 Seminarraum
1137 - Georg-Forster-Gebäude (Sowi)