...Syllabus INTA 3301: International Political Economy Spring 2013 Class meets MWF 1:05-1:55, Instructional Center 109 Instructor: Michael Murphree Sam Nunn School of International Affairs 137 Habersham Building Email: michael.murphree@gatech.edu Office Hours: Monday 2:00-3:00, 137 Habersham, or by appointment TA: Kathleen Thompson Email: kthompson136@gatech.edu Political economy is the study of the role of government, politics and collective human behavior in shaping economic outcomes. This exciting field is both old and new. Political economy predates both political science and economics but only reemerged as a distinct field in the 1960s and 70s. It is concerned with understanding how political forces (broadly defined) shape and are shaped by economic ones (broadly defined). There are many research and policy-relevant questions addressed in this field: 1. What is globalization and is it really good for everyone? 2. Is free trade really the only “appropriate” means for international exchange? 3. Why are some countries or regions rich while others struggle? 4. How did the global casino of high finance emerge and what is its purpose? 5. Is economic performance the root of power or power the root of economic performance? 6. What should be the role of government in the economy? 7. Is there a best practice for government economic policy or are there many workable practices? 8. Why has Asia seemed to perform so well over the last...
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...PoS131: International Political Economy TITLE One cannot speak of International Political Economy without at least wading through the fundamental debate between the degree of importance of political structures and market forces in economic development. This dynamic serves as one of the basic foundations of the discipline itself as well as subsequent major schools of thought. Theories in International Economy have been founded on empirical observations on the economic conditions of a set of cases and are, as Robert Cox posits, critical of the circumstances from which certain politico-economic configurations emerge[1]. A contemporary theory that has surfaced in the last few decades is the developmental state theory which sought to explain the precipitous economic progress of East Asian states after the Second World War. Although the initial outcome of adopting developmental strategies among East Asian states have shown the theory’s potency as a basis for economic development policies, subsequent events especially the results of Southeast Asian attempts to pattern itself after developmental strategies have put into question the developmental state’s efficacy as a long-term arrangement. Specifically, the Philippines’ status as an “anti-developmental” state[2] serves as a channel for criticism of the developmental state theory through other IPE theories not only in terms of strategies and policies, but also in the deeper level of societal conflict and political structures...
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...nternational political economy (IPE), also known as global political economy, is an academic discipline within the social sciences that analyzes international relations in combination with political economy. As an interdisciplinary field it draws on many distinct academic schools, most notably political science and economics, but also sociology, history, and cultural studies. The academic boundaries of IPE are flexible, and along with acceptable epistemologies are the subject of robust debate. This debate is essentially framed by the discipline's status as a new and interdisciplinary field of study. Despite such disagreements, most scholars can concur that IPE ultimately is concerned with the ways in which political forces (states, institutions, individual actors, etc.) shape the systems through which economic interactions are expressed, and conversely the effect that economic interactions (including the power of collective markets and individuals acting both within and outside them) have upon political structures and outcomes. IPE scholars are at the center of the debate and research surrounding globalization, both in the popular and academic spheres. Other topics that command substantial attention among IPE scholars are international trade (with particular attention to the politics surrounding trade deals, but also significant work examining the results of trade deals), development, the relationship between democracy and markets, international finance, global markets, multi-state...
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...Critical Book Review: States and Markets Susan Strange 1993 Susan Strange wrote States and Markets in 1994 and it was amazingly predictive of the future of the Internal Political Economy or Global Political Economy (IPE or GPE). Although there are some blind spots in her theory and mode, and she was not able to predict many things. She was still able to accurately describe the four main structures, which affect structural and relational power structures thereby directly affecting IPE. * The model she proposes in this book is not based on rigid theories of international relations that give no room for debate, which are erroneously based on some preconceived assumptions. First, one must understand how the author defines certain ideas and concepts differently. According to Strange “ Firstly a great deal of social theory is no more then description” (Strange, 10, 1994). She expands with the facts are well known but are arranged in a different order or category (Strange, 10, 1994). Susan Strange’s security structure is not rigid, like most other security models and it does not dictate a set of conditions nor does it bias itself to one nation. It is not a uniquely American perspective that assumes military dominance nor is it a British Empire that demands subjugation. It is more easily applied to developing nations that lack the military might of a super power due to its assumption of conventional forces only and lack of military. She theorizes that without protection...
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...Improving Perspectives of International Political Economy International Political Economy is a collection of aspects from economics, political science, sociology, history and some philosophy. With information coming from multiple sources there are bound to be numerous different perspectives of IPE. The three most common and well known perspectives examined will be liberalism, mercantilism and historical structuralism. Being that these are the three most accepted perspectives suggests that the majority of the views within these theories are strengths. However, with so much information, there are bound to be weaknesses and flaws found within these theories as well. There are always ways to improve on these the weaknesses and theories in general. International Political Economy deals with three main approaches: liberalism, historical structuralism and mercantilism. Each theory has its own strengths and weaknesses, but the way to improve them all is not to fix each individual weakness but to combine the strengths of all the perspectives into to create an entirely new theory. Liberalism is often described as the IPE perspective that focuses on the individual and the primacy of freedom or liberty in the book “Introduction to International Political Economy” by David Balaam and Michael Veseth. Individual freedom and capitalism are the overarching ideas found within the idea of liberalism. Capitalism is commonly referred to as a market-based economic system where free-markets...
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...countries of the Middle East is to pursue stabilization and structural adjustment policies, supported by IMF/World Bank lending packages.’ Critically appraise this statement with reference to the recent experience of one MENA country of your choice. Many MENA countries have been facing significant economic hardships. This has forced the international community for economic intervention - serious interventions - to protect their interests in the form of economic reforms. Economic Reform and Structural Adjustment Programs had its failures, reflecting the failures of the post- Washington Consensus neo-liberal interventions in developing countries (Mitchelle, 1999). These failures have to reflect on choices of MENA countries as they are facing a cross-road. Forms of intervention varied in many ways after WWI, when political imperialism was done with its role in fostering mercantilist and conventional capitalism gains (Dillard, 1988). But these powers had to be maintained, so the economic intervention was more appealing than political, during the second half of the twentieth century. This paper argues that developing countries were victims of political and economic powers struggle for dominance during the cold war, and when the west capitalist prevailed after the collapse of communism in late 1980s, the ERSAPs were the most appropriate form of intervention to eradicate any socialist traces form already weakly performing developing countries. We may also argue that the success stories...
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...Question: How does international political economy impact on your life in Belgium? Introduction International political economy also known as global political economy is an academic discipline within the social sciences that analyzes international relations in combination with political economy. As an interdisciplinary field it draws on many distinct academic schools, most notably political science and economics, but also sociology, history, and cultural studies. International political economy is concerned with the ways in which political forces (states, institutions, individuals, etc.) shape the systems through which economic interactions are expressed, and equally the effect that economic interactions have on political structures and outcomes. International political economy has various categories that help to describe and explain the different political and economic policies that various states, institutions and individuals may choose to be interested in. These categories are liberal, realist and Marxist. In this essay I will be exploring the different categories and the impact they would have on the international political economy of Belgium. History & Summary of Belgium Belgium is a constitutional, popular monarchy and a parliamentary democracy. It is a small, highly developed and densely populated country with approximately 10 million inhabitants at the cross-roads of Western Europe. Belgium is one of the founding members of the European Community, and its capital...
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...International political economy (IPE), also known as global political economy, is an academic discipline within the social sciences that analyzes international relations in combination with political economy. As an interdisciplinary field it draws on many distinct academic schools, most notably political science and economics, but also sociology, history, and cultural studies. The academic boundaries of IPE are flexible, and along with acceptable epistemologies are the subject of robust debate. This debate is essentially framed by the discipline's status as a new and interdisciplinary field of study. Despite such disagreements, most scholars can concur that IPE ultimately is concerned with the ways in which political forces (states, institutions, individual actors, etc.) shape the systems through which economic interactions are expressed, and conversely the effect that economic interactions (including the power of collective markets and individuals acting both within and outside them) have upon political structures and outcomes. IPE scholars are at the center of the debate and research surrounding globalization, both in the popular and academic spheres. Other topics that command substantial attention among IPE scholars are international trade (with particular attention to the politics surrounding trade deals, but also significant work examining the results of trade deals), development, the relationship between democracy and markets, international finance, global markets, multi-state...
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...119-143. INTERNATIONAL-BUSINESS POLITICAL BEHAVIOR: NEW THEORETICAL DIRECTIONS JEAN J. BODDEWYN Baruch College THOMAS L. BREWER Georgetown University Alternative assumptions are advanced regarding the political nature of international business and the role of government as a factor of production, which firms must manage in their international valueadded chains. Based on a model oi business political behavior, various propositions are developed regarding the interactions among firm, industry, and nonmarket factors as well as the impact they have on various forms and intensities of political behavior, as affected by strategic objectives. Finally, the sfrategic-theorizing implications of such behavior are discussed in the context of the recent emphasis on resource-based models of strategy management. Research in international business (IB) is much more infused with a consideration of political factors than its domestic counterpart. Authors of IB studies have constantly mentioned and even emphasized government as a variable, rather than a constant or given, because international firms (exporters, importers, licensors, foreign direct investors, etc.) operate under a great variety of evolving political regimes that have an impact on these firms' entry, operation, and exit. When IB topics were first researched in a policy-oriented manner, Fayerweather (1969) stressed "the accommodation of interests and the resolution of conflict" between international firms and...
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...POWER AND WEALTH Individual Assignment “Power and wealth are intricately linked. Critically discuss drawing on at least two perspectives from the field of International Political Economy and practical examples from the global political economy” Introduction Robert Gilpin (1975) once defined International Political Economy as the “reciprocal and dynamic interaction in international relations of the pursuit of wealth and the pursuit of power”, allowing for the understanding of the relevance of power and wealth in the global economy. The study of International Political Economy provides an understanding of the interaction between the Market and the State, as well as the importance of their existence within countries around the world. In studying this particular area, it is important to familiarize oneself with the key elements and determinants which make up the global economy. Two factors which play an essential role in the global political economy are Power and Wealth. These are considered to be significantly linked, as they share many similar attributes, and many corporations and actively involved members of the State seek to achieve and/or maintain both aspects. Power is globally acknowledged as the ability to influence the behavior in other individuals, or the authority to make decisions. As illustrated by Dahl (1957), the intuitive idea of power allows for the understanding that “A has power over B to the extent that he can get B to do something that B would not otherwise...
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...Economic Development The Impact of Political Decision Making Process to Economic Development Ruben Tota 1006805763 Statement of Authorship “Saya/kami yang bertandatangan dibawah ini menyatakan bahwa makalah/tugas terlampir adalah murni hasil pekerjaan saya/kami sendiri. Tidak ada pekerjaan orang lain yang saya/kami gunakan tanpa menyebutkan sumbernya. Materi ini tidak/belum pernah disajikan/digunakan sebagai bahan untuk makalah/tugas pada mata ajaran lain kecuali saya/kami menyatakan dengan jelas bahwa saya/kami menyatakan menggunakannya.” Saya/kami memahami bahwa tugas yang saya/kami kumpulkan ini dapat diperbanyak dan atau dikomunikasikan untuk tujuan mendeteksi adanya plagiarisme.” Nama : Ruben Tota NPM : 1006805763 Mata Ajaran : Economic Development Judul Makalah/Tugas :The Impacts of Political Decision Making Process to Economic Development Tanggal : 11 April 2013 Dosen : Mr. Budi Susetyo Tandatangan : ( / / ) Abstract The main idea of the paper is that the involvement of politicians in economic development decision making process as measured by political influence on Indonesian economic system which associated with worse economic performance. The procedures are based on the analysis of outlier events and differentiate between several sources of risk (“Political, Economic, World market, Other”). This paper is supported by my empirical results, which indicate that political influence is the most important...
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...Planned Economy and Socialism (Name) (College/University) Planned Economy and Socialism Planned Economy is an economic system whereby decisions concerning investment and production become configured in a plan formulated by a central authority. Central planning justify that the consolidation of economic resources plays a vital role by allowing the economy to take advantage of ideal information. This takes place during the decision-making process for production and investment. In planned economy, the central economic planning by the government controls all sectors of economy and formulates all decisions concerning resource allocation and use. It is the duty of the planners to decide what to produce and make directions to the lower level enterprises to produce goods taking care of national and social objectives. A planned economy consists of private enterprises, state-owned enterprises, and cooperative enterprises. Therefore, planned economy is an economic system whereby the government controls and regulates production, distribution, and pricing. Conversely, socialism is an economic system characterized by control of the cooperative management and the means of production (Lavigne, 1991). This economic system combines cooperative ownership, direct state ownership, and common owner. In addition, it focuses on the production, which meets human needs and economic demand. This implies that goods and services produced are for...
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...Discussion questions 1. Pick a recent news article that focuses on some international or global problem, and give examples of how and where states, markets, and societies interact and at times conflict with one another. How hard is it to determine the analytical boundaries between the state, market, and society in this case? ONU se reúne tras supuesto uso de armas químicas Los estados interactúan ya que son los encargados de mantener la seguridad de cada país, por eso acuden a las organizaciones que se ocupan de este tipo de asuntos. Los mercados pueden verse afectados por las consecuencias de este tipo de ataques y estos dos se implica la sociedad ya que es la afectada de lo que resulte esta situación. Es fácil distinguir los límites de cada parte en este tema ya que el que tiene la mayor responsabilidad es el estado. 2. Review the basic elements and features of the IPE approach: the three main theoretical perspectives, the four structures, the levels of analysis, and the types of power. Which ones do you feel you understand well and which ones need more work? Los niveles Individual y el de los estados son los más fáciles de comprender ya que se pueden estudiar sin tanto conflicto, pero el sistema internacional: el conflicto internacional a veces es causado por la naturaleza conflictiva del hombre. 3. Define and outline the major features of globalization. Explain the connection between economic liberal ideas and globalization. Which of the three IPE...
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...BSP5003 Contemporary Issues in International Political Economy Essay 1 (Part 1) – Marking Criteria Which of the three major theoretical perspectives on International Political Economy (IPE) – i.e. liberalism, mercantilism, and structuralism – best explains the emergence, development and consequences of the major IPE issues in the world today, and why? (1,000 words) 1. Critical Review of a Body of Knowledge (Wider Reading and Criticisms) | Criteria | Achievement* | | A | B | C | D | E | * ------------------------------------------------- Does this work use key readings relevant to the subject – sources may include books, journals and the University’s electronic resources with limited reference to internet sources? | ------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- | * ------------------------------------------------- Does the literature on the three major perspectives on IPE include up-to-date material?------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- | * ------------------------------------------------- ...
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...does a “political economy” approach to study of the Creative and Cultural Industries involve? What are its advantages and disadvantages? ID: 10048001 Anastasia Davydova 1. Introduction The intention of this paper is to define what we mean by political economy? What does this approach involve to study the Creative and Cultural Industries and what its advantages and disadvantages. This work will search through definitions, different schools and historical periods to better understand the background of Political Economy. Also this approach will be compared with another approach which examines cultural industries namely cultural studies approach to underline the main key point of political economy. This essay will briefly discuss specifics features of Creative and Cultural industries and moves to political economy approach itself with the final observation of advantages and disadvantages. “Culture is our business and business is our culture” [1] Definitions The term political economy addresses to relationship between politics and economy, how political power cooperate with economics, so politics responsible for the society and economy, in other words in charge of wealth of the society. Hence it is possible to declare that political economy examines the production and distribution of wealth in society. But there are also combination of such factors as political, economic...
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