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International Political Economy
GOVT 343 -A01
Summer 2014 (5/19-6/27)
MTWR: 11:30-1:20 pm
Robinson A349
Prof. Ming Wan
Robinson A233
Tel: 703-993-2955
Email: mwan@gmu.edu
Office hours: TR: 1:30-2:30 pm
Course Description:
This course is an introduction to International Political Economy (IPE). IPE
studies the interplay of economics and politics. The first part of this course introduces the
different theoretical perspectives for understanding IPE. The second part of the course
uses these theoretical perspectives for understanding different issue areas included in IPE.
The focus is on issues that have contemporary significance, but attention is also given to
historical issues and basic political and economic concepts.
Grading:
Midterm
25%
Term paper (12-15 pages)
25%
Final exam
35%
Attendance and discussion
15%
______________________________________
Total
100%
There are study sheets for midterm and final exams.
There are eight discussion sessions. Students should sign up for questions in
advance to lead discussion of those questions in class. Performance is based on how many
times a student signs up for discussion questions (counting only one question per session)
and how prepared students are for the question. In addition, performance is based on
participation in discussion of questions students have not signed up for.
Term paper: A good term paper should have a clear research question up front,
an argument supported by theory or logic and empirical evidence. It should be cleanly
written. Any citation style is acceptable as long as it is consistent.
Late policy: Students may request extension in a formal letter to the instructor
(not email although email attachment is acceptable) at least 24 hours before exam or
paper is due and mainly for serious sickness or family emergencies.
Attendance: I will circulate an attendance sheet about 5 minutes after class
begins. Put down only your name on the sheet.
Required books:
2
This course requires two books. There are also readings that can be downloaded
from GMU library databases (go to GMU library site and E-Journal finder to locate the
journal and then the article). Reading is due before class.
Robert Gilpin, Global Political Economy: Understanding the International Economic
Order (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2001). 978-0691086774
John Ravenhill, ed., Global Political Economy, 3rd ed. (Oxford University Press, 2011).
978-0199570812
Note: May 26 is a holiday and we will not meet.
Reading Assignments
I. Introduction and Background
May 19: Introduction to the course
May 20: Introduction to IPE
Ravenhill, Chap. 1.
Gilpin, Chaps. 2 and 4.
May 21: New Economic Theories
Gilpin, Chaps. 5 and 6.
May 22: Economic globalization
Ravenhill, chaps. 9 and 10.
May 22: Discussion (1)
May 26: Memorial Day. No class
II. APPROACHES TO IPE
May 27, 28: Three Ideologies
Gilpin, Chapter 3.
Ravenhill, chap. 2.
May 28: Discussion (2)
May 29: National Systems of Political Economy
Gilpin, Chapter 7.
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June 2: Domestic politics
Ravenhill, chap. 4.
G. John Ikenberry, David A. Lake, and Michael Mastanduno, “Introduction:
Approaches to Explaining American Foreign Economic Policy,” International
Organization, Vol. 42, No. 1 (Winter 1988), pp. 1-14.
Download from GMU university library databases (JSTOR). Go to university library
site. Search for International Organization with E-Journal Finder. Go to
JSTOR for the article.
International regimes
Stephen D. Krasner, “Structural Causes and Regime Consequences: Regimes as
Intervening Variables,” International Organization, Vol. 36, No. 2 (Spring
1982), pp. 185-205. GMU library database (JSTOR).
Stephen D. Krasner, “Regimes and the Limits of Realism: Regimes as Autonomous
Variables,” International Organization, Vol. 36, No. 2 (Spring 1982), pp. 497510. GMU library database (JSTOR).
June 2: Discussion (3)
June 3: Midterm exam
III. ISSUES IN IPE
June 4, 5: International monetary issues
Gilpin, Chapter 9.
Ravenhill, chap. 7.
George S. Tavlas, “The Economics of Exchange-Rate Regimes: A Review Essay,”
World Economy, Vol. 26, No. 8 (August 2003), pp. 1215-1246 (BlackwellSynergy).
June 5: Discussion (4)
June 9, 10, 11: International finance
Gilpin, Chapter 10.
Ravenhill, chap. 8.
IMF Staff, “The Asian Crisis: Causes and Cures,” Finance & Development, Volume
35, Number 2 (June 1998) found at the IMF Homepage:
http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/fandd/1998/06/imfstaff.htm
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Ben S. Bernanke, “Remarks by Governor Ben S. Bernanke,” at the Sandridge Lecture,
Virginia Association of Economics, Richmond, Virginia, March 10, 2005,
<http://www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/speeches/2005/200503102/default.
htm>.
June 11: Discussion (5)
June 12, 16: International trade
Gilpin, Chapter 8.
Ravenhill, chaps. 5 and 6.
Ronald Rogowski, “Political Cleavages and Changing Exposure to Trade,” American
Political Science Review, vol. 81, no. 4 (December 1987), pp. 1121-37
(JSTOR).
June 16: Discussion (6)
June 17, 18: International development and foreign aid
Gilpin, Chapter 12.
Ravenhill, chaps. 12 and 13.
Paul Krugman, “The Myth of Asia’s Miracle,” Foreign Affairs, Vol. 73, No. 6
(November/December 1994), pp. 62-78 (HeinOnline).
June 18: Discussion (7)
June 19, 23: Foreign direct investment
Gilpin, Chapter 11.
Ravenhill, chap. 11.
Raymond Vernon, “International Investment and International Trade in the Product
Cycle,” Quarterly Journal of Economics, Vol. 80, No. 2 (May 1966), pp. 190207 (JSTOR).
June 23: Discussion (8)
June 24: Review
June 24: Paper due
June 26: Final Exam (1:00-3:45 pm)
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HONOR CODE POLICY
The Honor Code policy endorsed by the members of the Department of Public and
International Affairs relative to the types of academic work indicated below is set out in
the appropriate paragraphs:
1. Quizzes, tests and examinations. No help may be given or received by students when
takeing quizzes, tests, or examinations, whatever the type or wherever taken, unless the
instructor specifically permits deviation from this standard.
2. Course Requirements: All work submitted to fulfill course requirements is to be
solely the product of the individual(s) whose name(s) appears on it. Except with
permission of the instructor, no recourse is to be had to projects, papers, lab reports or any
other written work previously prepared by another student, and except with permission of
the instructor no paper or work of any type submitted in partial fulfillment of the
requirements of another course may be used a second time to satisfy a requirement of any
course in the Department of Public and International Affairs. No assistance is to be
obtained from commercial organizations which sell or lease research help or written
papers. With respect to all written work as appropriate, proper footnotes and attribution
are required.