Economic History: Institutions, Economic Growth and Equity

Institutions, Economic Growth and Equity explores how the structure and quality of institutions—such as legal systems, property rights, and civil liberties—affect economic development. You’ll study how inequality and access to resources shape both institutional change and growth outcomes.

The course uses historical examples to show how institutions evolve and why they matter. You’ll examine how different countries have developed public institutions in areas like education, healthcare and social security—and how these relate to broader patterns of growth and equity.

Four key themes guide the course: differences in institutional arrangements, the process of institutional development, the link between resource distribution and growth, and reform efforts in developing and emerging economies.

Whether you’re interested in development, policy or history, this course gives you the tools to understand how institutions shape economic possibilities—and how equity plays a role in that process.

The course includes lectures, exercises and project work. You’ll engage with theory and apply it to real-world cases, using historical and comparative analysis to explore institutional change.

You’ll be assessed through written exams, take-home assignments, presentations and participation. Attendance is required at most sessions, and you’ll be expected to present your own analysis both individually and in groups.

By the end of the course, you’ll be able to critically evaluate institutional theories, assess the impact of inequality on growth, and understand how reforms succeed—or fail—in different contexts.

This is a course for those who want to understand the deeper structures behind economic development. You’ll gain the confidence to think clearly about institutions, fairness and the forces that shape long-term change.

Prerequisites

Students accepted for the following master’s programmes are qualified for this course: EAETU Economic Growth, Population, and Development, EAEUT Economic Growth and Development, EAISD Innovation and Spatial Dynamics EAGCH International Economics with a Focus on China. Other students applying for this course should have at least 60 credit points in either economic history, economics, history, economic and social geography, sociology or the equivalent knowledge.

Selection criteria

Seats are allocated according to: ECTS (HPAV): 100 %.

Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens

Citizens of countries outside:

• The European Union (EU)
• The European Economic Area (EEA) and
• Switzerland

are required to pay tuition fees. You pay an instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each
semester.

Tuition fees, payments and exemptions

Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 16,875
First payment: SEK 16,875

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Note that you may also need to pay an application fee, or provide proof of exemption.

Application fee

No tuition fees for citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland

There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.