The course has been completely redesigned in 2010-2011. In 2009-2010, the first year that the course was offered, the course was organised in a 'top-down'
fashion, starting with historical discussions and factual statements about existing constitutions and voting systems.
It then went on to consider theoretical arguments in favour of particular social organisations. In 2010-11 the course is organised in the reverse way,
in a 'bottom-up' fashion,
starting with a discussion of what might be the ideal way to organise societies. We will show that it is not possible to have a first-best solution and
that any organisation must be a compromise. We then go on to discuss how societies are actually constructed and managed, and we tie the discussion to
philosophical arguments about social choice.
The course will appeal to all students interested in the foundations of political, social and economic systems in the real world. Teaching methods will
include conventional lectures, discussions, debates, experiments and games.
In view of the large numbers of students, we are being more precise about the rules for assessment.
Please send any comments to either John Hey or Carmen Pasca.
