76113 Regulating Technologies

Description

This subject provides students with the knowledge and skills they need to examine the question of how to best regulate new and rapidly changing technologies — one of the most important and difficult problems confronting governments, regulators and policymakers in Australia and worldwide today.

The subject introduces students to the ‘fundamentals’ of regulation, including rationales for market intervention, theories of why it emerges, its processes, and the public and private actors who have the capacity to regulate. It considers the various tools that may be used (either alone or in conjunction with others) in an attempt to solve regulatory problems precipitated by the deployment of new technologies — tools such as command and control, economic instruments, self- and co-regulation, information disclosure, and education. The subject also considers matters relating to enforcement and compliance and how a regulatory system can be designed to overcome the limits of rules. Issues of legitimacy and accountability raised by the use of innovative regulatory techniques and strategies of enforcement and compliance are explored.

In seminars, students have the opportunity to critically assess key concepts, theories, tools and strategies and apply them to case studies drawn predominantly from the communications and technology sectors. Legal and regulatory practitioners working in these sectors may also give guest presentations.

The subject is of interest to students enrolled in the Legal Futures and Technology major as well as those who are interested in public law and/or intend to work for a regulatory body following graduation. No prior knowledge of technology or regulation is required.