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Department of 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 department 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 offering
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
Research
Our research
We provide critical analysis of contemporary problems and policies and construct alternatives to prevailing orthodoxies.
Our department 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 Gina Anghelescu
- Dr Michael Beggs
- Dr Gareth Bryant
- Associate Professor Damien Cahill
- Associate Professor Lynne Chester
- Dr Joseph Collins
- Associate Professor Bill Dunn
- Mr Troy Henderson
- Associate Professor Elizabeth Hill
- Professor Martijn Konings
- Professor Adam David Morton
- Dr Susan Schroeder
- Dr Suneha Seetahul
- Professor Dick Bryan
- Professor Frank Stilwell
- Professor Yanis Varoufakis
- Professor Terrence McDonough
- Dr James Stanford
- Professor Michael Bittman
- Dr Gavan Butler
- Dr Joseph Halevi
- Dr Evan Jones
- Dr Joy Paton
- Dr Patricia Ranald
- Associate Professor Stuart Rosewarne
- Associate Professor Ariel Salleh
- Dr Phillip Toner
- Dr Matthew Withers
- Dr Richard Kuhn
Events
UPDATE: In light of COVID-19 developments, please be advised this University event will no longer take place in the short term. Some of our events are transitioning to online, and these will be advertised accordingly. Let us know what event you're interested in via our online form, and we'll update you as the situation changes.
Learn more about the University’s advice regarding COVID-19 here.
For a full listing of our upcoming events, please visit the School's events calendar.
We host a regular seminar series. The topics of our upcoming seminars are being finalised. More information will be available soon.
Department Chair
Associate Professor Lynne Chester
Visit Associate Professor Chester's academic profile
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."
Download our postgraduate course guide (pdf, 2MB)
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