Overview of Course

International political economy (IPE) is the dynamic relationship between politics, economy, and society. The goal of this course is to expose students to the main facts and trends in contemporary IPE and provide them with essential tools in analyzing complex IPE issues. Our studies will focus on three key questions: how the global economy works, who are the winners and losers, and how to build a more sustainable and equitable global economy. We will emphasize the role of states, markets, international economic institutions, and NGOs as drivers of the global economy. The class will begin with a study of contending IPE theories of liberalism, mercantilism, structuralism, and constructivism. The second part will discuss issues in international trade, international finance, and international development. The third part will examine IPE issues in four groups of countries: developing countries, rising powers, the Middle East and North African states, and the European Union. The final part will discuss some of the major problems or dilemmas in IPE today, such as global migration, global health, and global environment. The class will highlight some important IPE issues in the countries and regions we will visit on this voyage throughout the semester. Students will have opportunities to conduct case studies on specific IPE issues concerning these countries and regions via regular research and field observations and present their case studies in papers and oral presentations.