Why are some countries rich, and some countries poor? Why are some countries more unequal than others? What explains the rise of Trump and the Brexit vote? This module introduces students to the politics of wealth and income distribution in the advanced economies of the world (particularly North America and Europe). The focus of the course is on the different ways in which governments have sought to promote economic growth and redistribute resources in favour of different political interests. The course presents key concepts and theories in the study of capitalist development, and uses these to explain why inequality is rising in the 21st century. 
The core aim of the course is to understand the changing nature of capitalism and the politics of inequality in the 21st century. We will seek to address the following questions: why have some countries grown faster than others? why are some more unequal than others? is inequality the outcome of globalistion and technological change, or political choices? why have some countries adapted to globalisation in such different ways? 
Key themes include the politics of inequality, globalisation, technology, social class, the structural influence of business power over public policy, and the consequences of the international financial crisis for the democractic state in Europe and the USA.