School of Politics and International Studies

MA Global Development and Political Economy of International Resources combines international politics, political economy and development studies in order to study the distribution of resources, both natural and human, in developing countries.

This course allows you to pay particular attention to the relationships between global processes and national resource strategies and policies. You also focus on the relationship between debates over resource use and political and economic change in the world economy.

You will consider questions of resource allocation, consider the relationships between state, business and economy, and assess the theory and practice of development strategy and policy.

The programme also gives you the opportunity to examine a number of case studies that reveal how some developing countries have been incorporated into the world economy, and analyse how that incorporation has affected the politics and society of the countries concerned. You will also adopt a 'country', or resource, and investigate themes of development strategy, politics and the possibility for social transformation.

Compulsory Modules

Political Economy of Resources and Development focuses upon the relationship between political and economic change in the world economy. You will examine a number of case studies that reveal how some developing countries have been incorporated into the world economy, and analyse how that incorporation have affected the politics and society of the countries concerned. You will also adopt a country and investigate themes of development strategy, politics and the possibility for social transformation.

Global Inequalities and Development provides you with an understanding of why and how the world’s inequalities produce advantages and disadvantages in development. You will cover economic, social, and political inequalities to lay the foundation for discussions about poverty, dispossession, food, environment and aid. You will also explore how social movements in the global south claim rights and thereby challenge global inequalities.

Dissertation: Global Development and Political Economy of International Resources leads you through the process of developing a deeper understanding of a particular topic in the politics of international resources and development through independent research and the preparation of an extended piece of writing. You agree a research topic with your supervisor and write a 12,000 word dissertation that demonstrates your research skills, your ability to assess information, and appraise relevant concepts and theories.

Optional Modules

You will also be required to study between two and four of the following optional modules:

• Africa in the Contemporary World
• Conflict, Complex Emergencies and Global Governance
• Democracy and Development
• Democratisation and Multi-Party Politics in Africa
• Education in Development
• Famine and Food Security
• Gender, Globalisation and Development 
• Capitalism and Crisis
• Contemporary Politics of the Middle East
• Political Transitions in South East Asia
• Environmental Politics and Policy
• International Political Economy
• Development Management Techniques
• Research Methodology for Development

Please note module options may be subject to change.