DAFF 25A14 - International Political Economy

Why is the global economy now a political battleground, and why are classical theories necessary but insufficient to explain it?

This course is intended to introduce you to the study of International Political Economy (IPE), which examines the interplay between political actors and the global economic marketplace. This class presents the main principles of International Political Economy (IPE) or Global Political Economy (GPE). The purpose of IPE is to study globalization i.e. the reciprocal interaction between international relations, economics, and politics. IPE gathers knowledge from history, international relations, politics, economics, and sociology in an innovative way.

The aim of the course is to provide students with a broad overview of the frameworks of analysis, actors, institutions, issues and processes responsible for international relations, the causes of war, inter-state economic competition, and the structural configuration of power in the global context. Therefore, IPE tries to analyze global affairs into a three-dimensional perspective: statist logic, market logic and institutional logic.

It also aims at providing both academic skills and applying these skills for professional outcomes.

The class relies on readings, class debates and the study of factual cases.

This course has no prerequisite. Knowledge in international relations, political history, and economics will be helpful.

No reading is expected before the first session.

This course mixes lectures and student participation. Before each session, each student will be expected to have read the indicated documents.

These documents will help us to discuss a specific topic in class. It is therefore compulsory to read them.

Online questions may be available on Moodle to help students check the readings and/or if previous sessions are well understood. However, these quizzes will not be part of the evaluations and are optional. They have only been designed for pedagogical purposes.

However, some classes will mainly rely on a case study _ the study of a particular aspect of international affairs. In this case, kindly read the documents of the case.

The assessment method may evolve by the beginning of the term.

A case study (mid-term exam): 25% of the final grade

A final exam: 35% of the final grade

A bibliographical note as your home assignment (to be submitted at the end of the semester): 25% of the final grade

Class participation: 15% of the final grade

Further details and assignments expectations will be provided during the first class.