PLT2230 - International political economy

Leader(s): Remy Davison

Offered

Not offered in 2009

Synopsis

This unit introduces students to the study of global political economy. It examines theoretical approaches to cooperation and global political economic issues are studied through the lens of the international regime concept. It then analyses approaches to trade prior to analysing the post-World War II global trade regime. Topics include: the GATT/WTO; the IMF, World Bank and Bank for International Settlements, and their role in the stabilization of global lending, finance and foreign exchange transactions; aggressive unilateralism; Asian and EU economic regionalism, and Australia's integration with the international political economy.

Objectives

The aim of the unit is to

• Explain different approaches to International Political Economy (IPE);
• Explain the concept and importance of 'international regimes';
• Employ IPE and regime approaches to understand global trade, investment and monetary arrangements;
• Present an overview of the structure and operation of important global institutions including the WTO, IMF and the World Bank;
• Analyse relevant case studies; and,
• Encourage critical analysis of the political economy of globalization.

Assessment

Essay (2500 words): 50%
Examination (2 hours): 40%
Tutorial participation: 10%

Contact hours

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

Prerequisites

A first-year sequence in Politics OR International Studies

Prohibitions

COS730, COS3730, PLT3230