INT2085 - Governing the global economy: Stability, efficiency, justice

Leader(s): Dr Helen E.S. Nesadurai

Offered

Sunway Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit introduces students to the global economy and its governance. It enables students to critically examine conflicts among states, firms, international organizations, NGOs and other groups over how the global economy is governed. Key questions to be explored are:

1. How do different political and economic ideas influence global economic governance, including in trade and finance, and whose interests are privileged as a result?
2. How have groups such as women and labour and issues such as the environment fared under neoliberal approaches to governance?
3. Should we govern the global economy to achieve stability and efficiency, or should we also attempt to achieve justice?

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Identify and interpret the changes that have occurred in how the world economy has been governed since the end of the Second World War.
2. Understand how different political and economic ideas that underpin distinct approaches to global economic governance privilege some actors and normative values at the expense of others.
3. Explain why conflicts occur among states, firms, international organizations, NGOs and other groups over how the global economy is governed.
4. Engage with and evaluate key normative debates on how the global economy should be governed.

• Participating actively in tutorial discussions.
• Reading critically about the topics covered in lectures.
• Writing and submitting an essay that presents a well-researched and carefully argued analysis of the material covered in the unit
• Demonstrating in the examination knowledge and understanding of key concepts and theoretical debates on global economic governance and their application to different case studies.

Assessment

Written work: 40% (2500 words)
Class participation: 10%
Exam: 50% (2 hours)

Contact hours

One 1-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

First year sequence in INT or permission

Prohibitions

INT3085