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Political Economy
The evolution of political and economic ideas
We investigate broad economic questions within social and political contexts through a variety of perspectives and methodologies.
Our discipline is home to the largest group of political economists at any Australian university. We analyse and investigate:
- issues of power and inequality
- the forces of globalisation and their impact on national policy settings
- the concentration of economic activity, wealth and opportunities
- the trade-offs between the free market perspective and broader social concerns
- economic growth and environmental sustainability.
Our study offerings
Political Economy focuses on the links between the economy, society and political interests. It deals with important challenges such as economic instability and uneven development, employment and inequitable income distribution, the globalisation of economic activity, and environmental sustainability. Enhance your understanding of the modern economy by exploring the dynamics of corporate globalisation, the concentration of economic activity, wealth and opportunities, and the trade-offs between health, education and social services.
Undergraduate
*Available to all students studying the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Visual Arts, as well as all combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies degrees.
Postgraduate
- Master of Political Economy
- Graduate Certificate in Political Economy
- Graduate Diploma in Political Economy
*Learn more about postgraduate coursework opportunities available to Political Economy students.
Find answers to frequently asked questions.
Research
Our research
We provide critical analysis of contemporary problems and policies and construct alternatives to prevailing orthodoxies.
Our discipline conducts internationally recognised political economic analysis and research across the broad areas of globalisation, development, the environment, energy, labour, gender, race, history of economic thought, neoliberalism, public policy, human rights, markets and finance.
Our academics work in a variety of disciplinary areas, researching post-Keynesian, Marxian, feminist and institutionalist economics, economic history and the history of economic thought, economic sociology and geography, international political economy, development and labour studies.
Our people
- Dr Michael Beggs
- Dr Gareth Bryant
- Associate Professor Damien Cahill
- Dr Luciano Carment
- Professor Lynne Chester
- Professor Elizabeth Hill
- Professor Martijn Konings
- Professor Adam David Morton
- Dr Claire Parfitt
- Dr Susan Schroeder
- Professor Dick Bryan
- Professor Frank Stilwell
- Professor Michael Bittman
- Professor Robert McMaster
- Professor James Stanford
- Dr Gavan Butler
- Dr Evan Jones
- Dr Patricia Ranald
- Associate Professor Stuart Rosewarne
- Dr Suneha Seetahul
- Dr Phillip Toner
Events
For a full listing of our upcoming events, please visit the School's events calendar.
Alexi Polden
Political Economy student
"Studying political economy taught me a great deal about the real effect economics has on people. I was not only pushed to question my own assumptions but also to question the assumptions made by academics and by those who espouse economic theories."
View our postgraduate handbook