OVERVIEW

The International Economics Program provides students with a firm grasp of the theory and tools of economics, finance, and the functioning of the international economic system. These skills are an important component of modern training in international affairs. In addition, the advanced courses in the program can be used to prepare interested students for a variety of careers in international economic and financial analysis as well as in business.
 

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course provides an analysis of the economic relationships between countries, covering both trade and monetary issues.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course is aimed at providing students that did not take International Economics in the First-cycle degree/Bachelor with some basic theoretical tools. In the part of the course devoted to international trade the focus is on what are the reasons explaining trade patterns among countries and what are the gains from trade. The most important instruments of trade policy are analyzed, and the costs and benefits of protectionist trade policies are assessed. Moreover, multinational enterprises organizational and production choices are explained, in order to understand their functioning. In the part of the course devoted to international monetary economics, the focus is on the mechanisms that determine the exchange rate between currencies, and on the relationship between exchange rates, money supply and interest rates.

PREREQUISITES

Microecomomics and Macroeconmics.

TEACHING METHODS

lectures and exercises

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The general traditional model. Overview. The general traditional model: assumptions; autarkic equilibrium; free-trade equilibrium; gains from trade in consumption and production; the direction of trade; the excess demand curve (net imports).

The Ricardian model. The concept of opportunity-cost. The Ricardian model of trade: assumptions: the linear production possibility frontier; definition of autarkic equilibrium; the free-trade equilibrium; the excess demand curve in the Ricardian model; gains from trade.

The Heckscher-Ohlin model. Overview. The model: assumptions; production in a small open economy; factor prices and commodity prices; the Stolper-Samuelson theorem; international equilbrium; integrated equilibrium; the theorem of equalization of factors prices; the Rybczynski theorem; the Heckscher-Ohlin theorem; international trade and income distribution.

Models with increasing returns to scale and imperfect competition. Determinants of international trade in the new theories. Market power. Pro-competitive effect (Markusen). Selection effect. Variety effect (Dixit and Norman).

Trade policy. Efficiency and equity. What is protectionism in trade? Protectionism in trade: demand, supply and trade with a single industry; the effect of an import tariff - the case of a small economy; the effect of an export subsidy - the case of a small economy.

Trade policy: arguments in favor of protectionism. Overview. Traditional arguments in favor of protectionism: the argument of a big economy (effect on the terms of trade); the argument of the infant industry; the argument of increasing returns to scale; the argument of internal market distortions.

Multinational enterprises and Foreign Direct Investment. Definitions. Stylized facts. Advantages (and disadvantages) of multinationals. Location choice: horizontal and vertical FDI. Internalization choice: outsourcing and licensing.

Exchange Rates and the Foreign Exchange Market: An Asset Approach 

Money, Interest Rates, and Exchange Rates 

Price Levels and the Exchange Rate in the Long Run

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Krugman, Obstfeld, Melitz Economia internazionale Vol. I, Person

Suggested reading

1. Pittaluga G.B., Economia Monetaria, Milano Hoepli ultima edizione.
2. Pittaluga G.B., Seghezza E. Building trust in the international monetary system, Springer

Further material will be available on Aulaweb.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ELENA SEGHEZZA (President)

GIOVANNI BATTISTA PITTALUGA

GIULIA BIANCHI (Substitute)

ANDREA VINDIGNI (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

I semester. In the week starting September 12

Class schedule

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Written and oral exam

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Frontal lessons

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Periodically consult the aula web