PLM4640

International finance: dollars, debt, and development

Proposed to be offered next in 2000

Andrew Perry

12 points -2 hours per week -Clayton

Objectives On successful completion of this subject students should be able to analyse the politics and policy-making processes of some major national governments and international financial organisations in relation to regional and global financial affairs; have an understanding of various ideas and theories concerning globalisation, international financial 'regimes', and linkages between debt crises and development issues. It is intended that students should have acquired an ability to conduct independent research and draw critical links between this research and broader issues relating to the subject.

Synopsis This subject is concerned with some major issues in the politics of modern international financial relationships and policies. It examines and seeks to explain continuities and changes in the national government policies of major states in East and Southeast Asia, North America and Western Europe concerning international financial affairs; the roles and changing or expanding activities of such major international financial organisations as the IMF, Bank for International Settlement, World Bank and Asian Development Bank; the expansion of Euro-dollar and Asian-dollar market institutions and financial centres; the politics of international financial deregulation and the politics of debt crises and their impacts on development strategies. Case studies given particular emphasis will include such subjects as Japanese-American competition for international financial influence; debt crisis politics in the Philippines, Indonesia, Korea, Peru, Mexico and Nigeria; and multilateral debt negotiations in the UN, the Paris club, and other venues; and theories concerning the evolution of international financial 'regimes'. The subject is intended to be of interest to students in international relations, East and Southeast Asian studies, and development studies. It does not require prior knowledge of the technicalities of international finance.

Assessment Essay (6000 words): 50% -Examination (3 hours): 50%

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