International Political Economy

Catalog description

This course examines the interaction between economic and political forces on an international scale. It includes an introduction to both international trade and international monetary theory, applying how both political and economic factors interact to influence outcomes. Among the questions we address: Why do currencies go “up” or “down,” and with what implications? How do financial crises begin and spread? Who are the winners and losers from international trade, and how should we best measure economic welfare? We will look other topical IPE issues such as the history and current role of the US dollar in the global economy, the function and impact of International Financial Institutions, income inequality, and the relationship between democracy, national security, and open markets. In addition to using texts and selected readings, we will rely on several case studies and country-specific analysis to further our understanding of the international economic global structure and the interaction between and among countries. Satisfies a Social-Scientific Thought requirement. Prerequisites & Notes Economics 101. Students who have already taken POL 360 are not eligible to take this class.