Bachelor Seminar zu speziellen Problemen Wirtschafts- und Finanzpolitik:

The Economics of Political Instability

WS 2025/2026

Course number:

042145

Instructors:

Dr. Richard Jong-A-Pin, University College Groningen

Dr. Lena Gerling, University of Münster

Course Language: English

Course Description

In this course, we will study the concept of political instability from an economic perspective. We do so by focusing on economic theories that explain political instability and regime change as well as on theories that explain how political instability affects (and is affected) by the economy. We will apply these theories to understand recent major political events (i.e. terrorism, Arab Spring etc.). Furthermore, we will these theories to test in empirical work, introduce available databases that measure political instability and discuss the limits of empirical models in this field of political economy. Based on this input, students are expected to conduct an original empirical regression analysis and to summarize and critically reflect on their results in the seminar paper.

Grading is based on a seminar paper, presentation of the results as well as oral participation during the block seminar.

Important Course Dates:

• Introductory Meeting: Tuesday, October 14, 2025: 10:00-14:00h (c.t.), Room Schlossplatz 5 – Festsaal
• STATA tutorial (voluntary): tba
• Presentations:
  • Monday, January 19, 2026, 9:00-16:00h (c.t.), Room Schlossplatz 5 – Festsaal
  • Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 9:00-16:00h (c.t.), Room Schlossplatz 5 – Festsaal

Note: The duration of the block seminar depends on the number of participating students.

Assignment Deadlines

• Indicating a preference for a topic (via Learnweb): until Thursday, October 16, 2025, 23:59h
• Assignment of topics: Monday, October 20, 2025
• Deadline seminar paper: Sunday, January 11, 2026, 23:59h

To participate in the seminar, please register between August 15, 2025, and September 15, 2025, by sending the registration form (available on the CIW website) via email to Magdalena Balmas (Magdalena.Balmas@uni-muenster.de). After the registration deadline, you will be informed via email in a timely manner whether you have been allocated a seminar spot.

Important: Registration using the CIW form does not replace registration in QISPOS. If you are allocated a seminar spot, early registration in QISPOS is required for bachelor students (vorgezogene Anmeldephase).

For questions, please contact Lena Gerling (lena.gerling@uni-muenster.de).

You find the course outline here.