Law

Law, Politics and Economics of Regulation (Aut)

Module code: M5023
Level 6
15 credits in autumn semester
Teaching method: Lecture, Workshop
Assessment modes: Project, Essay

Regulation is the use of legal measures to solve public problems—from environmental pollution to financial fraud to market power of network industries—and more. This module offers a grounding in the theories of regulation prominent in the law, politics, and political science and sociology literatures. It examines theories of the genesis of regulation and regulatory reform, problems of rule-making and rule-enforcement, as well as organisational and macro-political questions in the design of regulatory regimes, including the roles that are attributed to public and private actors. Although drawing extensively on theoretical literatures, the module aims to equip students with practical skills that will be applicable in this growing area of practice, both in government and in industry.

Module learning outcomes

• Demonstrate knowledge, understanding and ability to criticise some of the dominant theories and doctrines in regulation.
• Analyse common regulatory strategies and challenges in designing and enforcing rules with a view to solving public problems
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding, and ability to criticise common explanations for patterns of regulatory growth and development
• Formulate policy advice to regulators, regulates and/or other policymakers on one or more of: the design, implementation, compliance with and reform of regulatory regimes