Business and Government

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

The respective roles and interactions between business and government are crucial for the political economy of a country. Because of its productive function, business enjoys a privileged position with government, while a major part of government is concerned with the monitoring and managing of business. The structure and role of both have been changing rapidly in recent times, as have the conceptual tools for understanding them. This subject critically reviews contemporary writing and developments and uses case examples to familiarise students with theoretical, normative and practical issues for both sides of this important relationship. On completion of the subject, students should have an understanding of the character and inter-relationship of business and government in contemporary society including: changing private and public sector boundaries; the re-configuration of the mixed economy; the neo-liberal paradigm and its critics; the impact on business of the socio-political environment; the role of interest groups in public policy; changing expectations of corporate governance; the role of business advocacy; government regulation of business; alternatives of self regulation and co-regulation; the effects of globalisation; the growth of the transnational corporations.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• be able to apply research skills and critical methods to a field of inquiry;