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Instructors: Thies Niemeier
Event type:
Seminar
Org-unit: Politics, Administration & International Relations
Displayed in timetable as:
IPÖ
Hours per week:
3
Credits:
6,0
Note: In your exam regulations, differing credits may have been specified.
Location:
Campus der Zeppelin Universität
Language of instruction:
Englisch
Min. | Max. participants:
10 | 35
Priority scheme: Standard-Priorisierung
Course content:
Can the World Trade Organization regain its prominence in the international economic order? Can the IMF and the World Bank overcome their challenges or will other institutions take over? This seminar introduces the research field of International Political Economy. It is concerned with the distribution of resources, how this affects politics, and how politics affects how societies distribute their resources. The main issue areas are international trade, finance, multinational corporations and economic development. We will focus on the following topics:
The World Trade Organization - a sleeping beauty?
In this session, we venture into the realm of global trade, a powerful channel through which globalization influences the lives of people worldwide. We will examine the underlying reasons for engaging in trade, its various benefits, and the challenges it presents. Of particular interest in our discussion is the World Trade Organization (WTO), an institution that has historically played a pivotal role in shaping international trade policies and agreements. However, in recent years, the blockade of the WTO's dispute settlement mechanism have made it less relevant, with bi- or multilateral trade agreements becoming the norm. Will the WTO regain its status in the international economy?
IMF and World Bank - will BRICS alternatives take over?
Since World War II, the two most dominant international institutions governing international finance are the IMF and the World Bank. In this session, we will trace their development into the institutions they are today and assess to what extent they could achieve their policy goals. In recent years, BRICS countries under the leadership of China have founded two alternative institutions, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the New Development Bank (NDB). Do these new institutions simply reflect shifting power dynamics, or should we fear decreasing social, environmental and labour standards attached to loans?
Foreign direct investment - a force for good?
In this session, we analyse the determinants and the effects of foreign direct investment (fdi). Foreign direct investment can be a crucial enabler of technology transfer and globalized supply chains. The potential gains from fdi create a market in which countries compete to secure the most attractive investments. What determines if multinational corporations (MNCs) decide to invest in a country? \\
One factor deterring investment by MNCs is political instability. Yet, exactly those countries with a high instability are the ones that are least likely to grow economically. One tool that tries to address this problem are investment guarantees, where companies can secure a guarantee for their investment by their home country against political risks. Can investment guarantees achieve inclusive growth?
Global trade, finance and knowledge networks - the ties that bind?
Globalization has created economic networks which link individuals, companies, and states worldwide. The ability to connect across the globe has significantly increased life expectancies and world income. Yet, the structure of these networks gives some states significantly more power than others. By gathering information or cutting ties, these states aim to coerce other states to adopt the policies they like. The literature on economic sanctions has dedicated significant attention to examining whether and when countries can secure policy concessions from their targets. How does increasing interdependence in knowledge, technology and trade networks affect the ability of states to change policies in other countries? Will alternative networks emerge and challenge the primacy of powerful states?
Educational objective:
- Name and explain the most important theoretical streams in IPE
- Investigate the roles of states, international organizations, and multinational corporations in the global economy.
- Explore the dynamics of international trade, finance, and their impact on economic development.
- Assess the role of institutions like the World Trade Organization and the International Monetary Fund.
- Understand and present current empirical research on IPE, guiding a discussion on topics in IPE
- Write a quantitative or qualitative seminar paper in the field of IPE
Further information about the exams:
Midterm: 40%, Endterm: 60%
Midterm: Group presentation of a research paper and case (20 - 25 min.) including a handout, followed by a discussion (30 min.)
All students have to prepare a group presentation including a handout, followed by a discussion. The presentations are structured by a research paper presentation (one of the articles marked with an asterisk in the course descriptions) and a case presentation. The students are expected to prepare discussion questions and guide the seminar discussion afterwards. The presentations should take between 20 and 25 minutes, the following discussion should take around 30 minutes. Potential papers are marked with an asterisk (*) in the sessions. Students choose a case themselves based on the mandatory readings of the sessions and the research paper. Examples are:
- The impact of IMF loans on the Pakistani economy
- The impact of economic sanctions on the Russian economy
At the end, students should present two policy choices. What choice do politicians in the country/politicians from abroad/bureaucrats in International Organizations face? Frame this as a dichotomous choice, options 1 and 2. Afterward, guide a discussion in class. Try to arrive at a policy recommendation. The presentation includes sections on:
Research paper
- Research Question(s) and contribution to the literature
- Theory and hypotheses
- Methods
- Findings (substantial and statistical significance)
- Criticisms of students
- Conclusion
Case study
- History of the case
- Research paper relevance
- Discussion questions
Endterm: Quantitative or Qualitative Seminar Paper
There are two potential formats for a seminar paper.
(a) Quantitative approach (3.000 - 3.500 words)
One objective of this course is to familiarize interested students with quantitative research. Pick two variables from the datasets in the online repository and think how they might be related. Write a theoretical section, including your hypothesis. Then, run a regression on the variables and see whether your expectations are backed by the data. Your research paper should include the following sections:
i. Introduction
ii. Theory
iii. Research Design
iv. Outcome
v. Conclusion
(b) Qualitative approach (4.000-4.500 words)
Another objective of this course is for students to be able to describe and apply theories from International Political Economy to a case. Therefore, pick a case that interests you and relate it to the analysed theories. Which theories from our discussions could you use to describe the case? How do they relate to each other, how do their conclusions differ? Your research paper should include the following sections:
i. Introduction
ii. Case description
iii. Theory I - applied to case
iv. Theory II - applied to case
v. Discussion of competing theories
vi. Conclusion
Mandatory literature:
- Oatley, Thomas. 2023. International Political Economy. 7th Edition. New York: Routledge.
- Cohn, Theodore H., and Anil Hira. 2020. Global Political Economy: Theory and Practice. 8th ed. New York London: Routledge.
- Cohen, Benjamin J. 2019. Advanced Introduction to International Political Economy: Second Edition. Edward Elgar Publishing.
- Baldwin, David A. 2020. Economic Statecraft: New Edition. 2nd Edition. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
- Toshkov, Dimiter. 2016. Research Design in Political Science. London: Palgrave Macmillan.
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