300032 Global Pension Policy (S) (SoSe 2019)

This seminar introduces into the global social policy literature by focussing on the example of the global pensions discourse.

The first part of the seminar is about basic approaches to global social policy studies, and looks at concepts of, and approaches to, global social policy; the meaning of actors, governance and inter-actor relationships.

The second part traces the history of the global pensions discourse from the late 1980s/1990s to the most recent years. The context of transformation after the Fall of the Berlin Wall, the Global Economic and Financial Crisis, and the ILO initiative on social protection floors will be considered here.

In the third part, the focus will be on the key global social policy actors in this discourse, namely the ILO and the World Bank, but also some other actors that had an impact on global pensions ideas and discourse.

In the final part, we will discuss the pensions discourse from a comparative perspective with other global social policy discourses.

While there is no need of previous knowledge and experience with global social policy research as such, students should have a basic understanding of the meaning of social policy, and international relations/global governance.

A very good command of English is also necessary as all literature, lectures, presentations and discussions will be held in English.

I hope for a diverse group of students in terms of nationality and disciplinary backgrounds, interested in global politics, international organisations, social and pension policy. Frequent and active participation will be essential for making this seminar a rich academic exercise!