Module description
Regulation has not only become an increasingly preferred policy instrument of governments, but it is also widely used by industries themselves. In the module, we assess the rise of the regulatory state, the different approaches to regulation, the regulatory instruments that are used, and the actors that are involved in the process. Also, selected areas of regulation – including competition policy and financial and environmental regulation – are explored in more detail. We focus on the different explanations of the introduction of, and changes in, regulatory policies, instruments and institutions, and we evaluate the merits of these explanations.
The module is interdisciplinary in nature, building mainly on the literature on regulation in political science, law and economics. The focus of the module is generic, though the literature is mainly concerned with regulation in EU and OECD countries.
Educational aims & objectives
This module aims to provide an introduction to the key concepts, theories and issues in the study of regulation. Regulation has not only become an increasingly preferred policy instrument of governments, but it is also widely used by industries themselves. In the module, we assess the growth of the regulatory state, the different approaches to regulation, different modes and areas of regulation, questions of enforcement and compliance, and the different actors that are involved in the regulatory process - legislators, ministerial departments, independent regulatory agencies, courts, interest organisations, and the regulated sector. The focus will be generic, though the literature is mainly concerned with regulation in EU and OECD countries. The module is a central option for students on the MA in Public Policy (20 credits). The module is also available to a limited number of students on other programmes.