International Political Economy: States and Markets in the 21st Century

This course introduces students to the contemporary study of the dynamic interaction between the pursuit of wealth and the pursuit of power in the global economy. The course presents the key concepts and theories of international political economy, and how these can be used to understand pressing empirical and economic policy questions facing policymakers and citizens in the 21st century.

A number of important questions will be investigated including:

- Is globalization responsible for the rise of populism in the West?
- How will “trade wars” impact the global political economy?
- What political and institutional factors are responsible for banking panics, currency crashes, and sovereign defaults?
- Why have governments failed to take sufficient action to prevent climate change?
- Do multinational corporations pose a threat to state sovereignty and the welfare state?
- Will the renminbi or euro replace the dollar as the principal international currency?
- Do Western countries dominate international economic institutions, such as the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and the World Trade Organization?

Course leader

Professor Jeffrey Chwieroth

Target group

Undergraduate and Graduate students

Prerequisites: at least one introductory course in either social science (e.g. political science, international relations, sociology, economics), history or law.

Course aim

Students will develop a deeper understanding of the political and institutional context in which the global economy operates.

Credits info

4 EC
Typical credit: 3-4 credits (US) 7.5 ECTS points (EU). You will need to check with your home institution. Assessment is optional.

Fee info

GBP 2500: Discounts apply when booking multiple courses. LSE Summer School runs three sessions during the summer, and students can book one course per session. Save 32% on your second course and 68% on your third course when booking.