School of Politics and International Studies

MA Global Development and International Political Economy focuses on how globalisation, international economic interdependence and the internationalisation of political structures and processes are changing politics across the globe.

This course aims to evaluate the new power structures, policy processes and social linkages shaping the international political economy in the 21st century. You will analyse the key structures and processes that characterise the international political economy, and critically assess the main analytical issues and contrasting theoretical perspectives on the linkages between politics and economics.

You will also explore how the post-war world economy emerged and developed, and assess how both domestic and international politics interacts with trade and production, money and finance, and development.

The course asks you to examine the evolution of international institutions and regimes, and how the international political economy affects domestic economic and public policy. You will also assess how different kinds of institutions, regional groupings and government functions develop to cope with change.

Compulsory Modules

International Political Economy analyses the key structures and processes that characterise the international political economy. You will examine how the post-war world economy emerged and developed, and how domestic and international politics interact with trade, production, money, finance and development. You will also investigate how international institutions and regimes have evolved. and how international political economy concerns affect domestic economic and public policy. You will also study how different kinds of institutions, regional groupings and government functions are developing to cope with change.

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 International Political Economy leads you through the process of developing a deeper understanding of a particular topic in international political economy 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:

• China's Development
• The Japanese Economy: Continuity and Change
• Democracy and Development
• Famine and Food Security
• Gender, Globalisation and Development
• Political Economy of Resources and Development
• Capitalism and Crisis
• The Politics of the European Union
• Theoretical Approaches in International Relations

Please note module options may be subject to change.