Political Economy

The Political Economy minor is designed to study the relationship between government, society, and the economy in a holistic manner from a multi-disciplinary perspective. Political Economy minors investigate how real-world market systems are embedded in both politics and society. They graduate with a mastery of a broad range of contemporary analyses as well as a deep understanding of classic works of political economy.

The study of Political Economy is both scientific, with its rigorous attention to social science methodology, and normative, with its concern for the big questions of how best to organize politics, society, and the economy. Political Economy seeks to examine the role of the state in the economy and to assess which government policies and market institutions can move us toward a better society.

The minor focuses on contemporary problems while building on a strong historical foundation. The minor in Political Economy provides an opportunity to study one of three problems in contemporary political economy: (1) Globalization; (2) Poverty, Inequality, and Policy; or (3) Science, Technology, and Economic Development. Students will also study the historical foundations of these issues.

Some of the issues addressed in the minor and its courses include, but are not limited to:

• How rising consumer demand impedes efforts to combat climate change;

• How different national or subnational varieties of capitalism serve diverse priorities;

• How public and private sector institutions affect economic performance;

• How democratic and authoritarian political systems operate differently;

• How interdependence may undermine the efforts of national governments to cope with urgent national issues such as unemployment, inflation, health, and housing;

• How social, political and economic factors combine to exacerbate economic inequality both within and across countries;

• How political interests can impede the pursuit of public purpose both domestically and internationally.

Students Must Meet with a Political Economy Advisor Before Declaring the Minor

Students are eligible to declare the Political Economy Minor when they:

• Have completed at least one course towards the minor at UCB with a grade of B or higher, or have completed at least two courses for the minor (not necessarily at UCB) with a minimum GPA of 2.0. Please don't attempt to declare the minor if you have not completed a first course in the minor;

• Have a cumulative UCB GPA of 2.0 as shown on the Student Account in CalCentral;

• Must have met with a Political Economy Advisor before seeking to declare the minor;

• Are not in their final semester of undergraduate work - Absolutely no exceptions to this rule.

Completing the Political Economy Minor Program

To complete the minor, students must complete the five required courses and also submit the Completion of LS Minor form. Students must take five upper-division courses: both POLECON 100 and 101 are required. The remaining three courses must be focused around a concentration in one of these three areas and be on the currently-approved minor concentration course list: (1) Globalization; (2) Poverty, Inequality and Policy; or (3) Science, Technology, and Economic Development.

The PE minor is not completed until you email the Completion of L&S Minor form - which MUST be signed by your major advisor - to your PE minor advisor no later than the last day of instruction in your final semester at UCB. The Completion of LS Minor form can be found on the PE website and L&S website.

Please note: The following College requirements apply to the Political Economy minor program:

1. At least three of the upper-division courses must be taken at UC Berkeley.

2. All courses satisfying minor requirements must be taken for a letter grade.

3. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all coursework used to satisfy the minor requirements.

4. No more than one upper-division course may overlap with the student’s major program. (Absolutely no courses can overlap between two minors.)

5. The Completion of LS Minor form is required to complete the minor.

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