Lunch seminars in Comparative Political Economy

The aim of these seminars is to gather researchers from across the University of Bergen (UiB) who share an interest in comparative political economy.

This field is concerned with the political, institutional, and social factors that shape the economy. Specific topics include social policies, labour market regulation, precarious employment, industrial relations, Varieties of Capitalism, welfare chauvinism, property relations, taxation, and political causes and consequences of social inequality.

The seminars started in January 2017, and participants come from a range of departments, including Comparative Politics, Sociology, Administration and Organization Theory, History, Philosophy, and Social Anthropology.

Activities consist of biweekly lunch seminars in which participating scholars present their own research or in which we discuss recent important publications in the field. Occasionally we invite guest speakers from abroad. Seminars are open to anyone interested, including students.

Convenor: Georg Picot (Department of Comparative Politics), georg.picot@uib.no

When (normally): Mondays, bi-weekly, from 12:15 to 13:15

Where: Meeting room, Christies gate 15, 2nd floor

Everyone welcome.

Feel free to bring your lunch.

4th February

Collective discussion of

Rahman, K. S., & Thelen, K. (2018). “The rise of the platform business model and the transformation of twenty-first century capitalism”, unpublished.  

18th February

Katharina Sass (Department of Comparative Politics)

                “Cleavages and Coalitions. The Politics of Comprehensive School Reforms”

4th March

Michal Kozak (Department of Sociology)

“‘He who does not work, neither shall he eat‘? Cultural importance of paid employment and basic income support in a comparative perspective“

18th March

Collective discussion of

Schumpeter, J. A. (2003 [1943]). Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy. London and New York: Routledge - pages 81-106 («The Process of Creative Destruction» and «Monopolistic Practices»)

1st April

(open slot)

8th April, 12:15-14:00

Joan Abbas (University of Bath)

                “A comparison of in-work benefits in Europe: what and why”

29th April

Simen Johannessen (Department of Comparative Politics)

                “The Effect of Minimum Wages on Income Inequality in Developed Democracies”

13th May

Siri Pedersen (Department of Comparative Politics)

                “Policies to tackle low-wage employment: an overview across OECD countries”

17th June

Georg Picot (Department of Comparative Politics)

                “Gig work in the German political economy”