Politics of the Global Economy - POLI6021

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Module delivery information

Location Term Level1 Credits (ECTS)2 Current Convenor3 2026 to 2027
Canterbury
Summer Term 6 20 (10) Luca Mavelli checkmark-circle

Overview

How should the relationship between economic forces and world politics be understood? What tools can we use to understand the nature of the link between economics and international relations? Through the lens of political economy, which pertains to the complex relationships between society, the state, and the market, you will debate and analyse the economic dimensions of contemporary international relations. Major themes you will explore include:
governance, globalisation, institutions, interdependence, power, conflict, cooperation, hegemony, and crisis. You'll also focus on specific issues, which may shift year-to-year depending on current events, possibly covering: trade, development, poverty, global health, the financial sector, foreign investment, hunger, the energy sector, climate change, and the relationship between political economy and conflict. Across these topics, you will critically examine the interests, relationships, and conflicts of individual actors in the global political economy.

Details

Contact hours

Lecture 16, Seminar 16

Method of assessment

Essay 1200 words worth 30%.
Essay 3000 words worth 70%.

Reassessment Method: Like for like

Indicative reading

Learning outcomes

On successfully completing the module, students will be able to: 

1) Appraise and interpret competing perspectives on international political economy.
2) Analyse the key structures and processes of the global economy.
3) Engage with contemporary debates on key issues in contemporary economic governance by employing competing perspectives on international political economy.
4) Critically evaluate the value of the main theories that inform the study of International Political Economy in explaining and addressing problems.
5) Effectively communicate ideas, theories, concepts, and methods employed in international political economy

Notes

  1. Credit level 6. Higher level module usually taken in Stage 3 of an undergraduate degree.
  2. ECTS credits are recognised throughout the EU and allow you to transfer credit easily from one university to another.
  3. The named convenor is the convenor for the current academic session.
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