PSI 306  -- International Political Economy
Spring 2001
Dr. Brian Frederking

Objectives
This class is about the relationship between states and markets in an era of globalization. How do states both facilitate and impede the power of markets? How do markets both facilitate and impede the power of states? We will focus on two particular themes: 1) the ongoing debates over the appropriate relationship between states and markets; and 2) the emerging debates about the relationship between global capitalism, multilateral state decision-making, and the autonomy of domestic political processes.

 Grading and Assignments
Assignments in this class include a midterm exam (100 points) exam, a final exam (100 points), written summaries of reading assignments (80 points), and two short papers (50 and 70 points). Your grade will be determined as follows: 90% and above is an A; 80-89% is a B; 70-79% is a C; 60-69% is a D; and below 60% is an F. Late work will not be accepted. Anyone caught cheating will fail the course.

Written summaries: This is a reading-intensive class. Therefore, the exams will be open-note exams. Each student will contribute to everyone's notes by handing out 1-2 page written summaries and reporting to the class throughout the semester about four readings in the texts. Each summary and report is worth 20 points.

 Research paper #1: Each student will write a 4-5 page paper using World Bank data of social and economic indicators for countries around the world provided by the instructor. The paper should test the theoretical expectations of liberalism, mercantilism, and/or radicalism. A rough draft of this paper is due Feb 22 (20 points). The final draft is due Mar 22 (30 points). 

Research Paper #2: Each student will choose one of the topics below, write an 8-10 page paper on that topic, and present their findings to the class. A rough draft of this paper is due Apr 19 (30 points). The final draft is due on the date of the final exam (40 points).
1)      The political and economic consequences of NAFTA
2)      The arguments for and against allowing China into the World Trade Organization
3)      The IPE of child labor
4)      Potential reforms of the International Monetary Fund
5)      How OPEC took control of oil away from the West
6)      The impact of Brazilian economic development policies
7)      How the internet thwarted the Multilateral Agreement on Investment
8)      Cocaine: an illicit international political economy
9)      The role of women in African economic development

Texts
Crane and Amawi. The Theoretical Evolution of International Political Economy.
Lairson and Skidmore. International Political Economy: the Struggle for Power and Wealth.
Frieden and Lake. International Political Economy: Perspectives on Global Power and Wealth.

Schedule of Readings

Jan 16              Introduction

Jan 18              Classic Mercantilism

Jan 23              Classic Liberalism

Jan 25              Classic Marxism

Jan 30              Modern Mercantilism

Feb 1               Neoliberalism

Feb 6               Neo-Marxism

Feb8-27           Historical Development of Capitalism

Mar 1-6            Paper Presentations

Mar 8               Exam #1

Mar 13-15            Spring Break

Mar 20-27            Trade                                                                                                

Mar 29-Apr 5            Money and Finance                                                                          

Apr 10-12            Multinational Corporations                                                           

Apr 17-26            Economic Development            

May 1-3            Paper Presentations

May 7-10            Final Exam