| CODE | EMA5108 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Governance, Regulation and Social Dialogue | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Good governance, effective regulation and public consultation are at the core, not only of a functioning democracy, but also of the liberal economy rooted in open markets. The study-unit is intended to provide an overall introduction and understanding to democracy, governance, public policy, market regulation and social dialogue. It examines the key stakeholders in public affairs across the spectrum of multi-level governance ranging from local to national administration, and from European to international institutions. It starts with the concept of governance, including its key stakeholders, values and principles. Then it looks at different policymaking models involving the participation and influence of state and non-state actors, including the business communities, the trade unions, civil society and the general public. Attention is then turned to the regulatory functions of the Government to ascertain an equal level playing field, respect to citizens’ and consumers’ rights, and governance of the commons, identifying strengths and weaknesses of systems. It explains the complexities of public policy and private interest. The study-unit will then explore the notion of social dialogue within the context of deliberative and agonistic understandings of democracy. It also considers the inter-relations between politics, ethics and power in light of business activity and its impact on communities and society. This study-unit concludes by examining the structures, processes and dynamics of social dialogue that includes all types of negotiation, consultation or simply exchange of information between, or among, representatives of governments, employers and workers, on issues of common interest relating to economic and social policy. Study-unit Aims: This study-unit aims to empower students with knowledge and competencies necessary to lead and manage an effective interface with public authorities, including the governing institutions, regulatory regimes, e-government systems, and structures of social dialogue. It seeks to help students develop a better understanding of the rule of law, the values of good governance and the benefits of social dialogue because these are the fundamental factors embodying ethical, fair, and sustainable market practices. In achieving this aim, the unit presents the students with the multi-faceted and multi-stakeholders scenario characterising the different layers of governance ranging from domestic to European to international arenas. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: • Debate the role of government in free market economies; • Identify and discuss the institutions of governance; • Determine how good governance or bad governance affect the world of private enterprise and the risks of state capture; • Analyse the impetus of business throughout the various stages of the public policymaking, identifying complexities between public policy and private interests; • Assess the value and implications of technology-based government processes and systems; • Examine the regulatory functions of the European Union and the National Government; • Demonstrate the need to contribute towards a meaningful social dialogue within the context of a democracy; • Appreciate the processes of negotiation and lobbying; • Commend exercises of public consultation and devise ways how corporate actors can ascertain their evidence-based input; • Discuss the ethical and political implications of business in light of its impact on communities and society; • Debate how differing notions of democracy and power influence the outlook towards policymaking and social dialogue. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: • Review public policy concepts and evidence and how they assist businesses and society; • Critically analyse and appraise public policies and their effects on businesses and society; • Identify potential areas of conflict and complexity between public and private interests; • Assess systems which citizens and businesses interact with; • Participate in debates and sharing of best practices; • Engage in negotiation, lobbying and mediation. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main texts: - Peters, G.B., 2021. Advanced Introduction to Public Policy. 2nd ed. Glos: Edward Elgar Publishing - Hill, M. and Varone, F., 2021. The Public Policy Process. 8th edition. London and New York: Routledge - Chandler, J.A., 2017. Public Policy and Private Interest – Ideas, Self-Interest and Ethics in Public Policy. London and New York: Routledge - Head, B. W., 2022. Wicked Problems in Public Policy: Understanding and responding to Complex Challenges. London and New York: Palgrave Macmillan - Baldwin, R. et al., 2013. Understanding Regulation: Theory, Strategy, and Practice. 2nd ed. Oxford University Press - Lodge, M. & Wegrich, K., 2012. Managing Regulation: Regulatory Analysis, Politics and Policy. Red Globe Press - Windholz, E., 2017. Governing through Regulation: Public Policy, Regulation and the Law, London: Routledge - Vassallo, M.T. ed., 2021. Kollox Politika? Governanza, Religjon, Ekonomija, Amministrazzjoni Pubblika. Malta: Malta University Publishing. Supplementary Text: - Considine, M., 2005. Making Public Policy. UK: Polity Press - Tansey, S.D. and Jackson, N., 2008. Politics: The Basics. London: Routledge - Fischer, F. et al (eds.), 2015. Handbook of Critical Policy Studies. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Kurt Borg Marie Louise Mangion (Co-ord.) George Vital Zammit |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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