Global Trade and Political Economics

This interdisciplinary course focuses on the interplay between politics and economics. It will begin by discussing and explaining classical areas of international areas trade, monetary and fiscal policies, foreign direct investment (FDI) and economic development. The course will then address how domestic and international political dynamics affect trade policies both in the USA and foreign countries. Notwithstanding political resistance to free trade economies, this course will explain why countries still find trade essential. While economic theory would lead us to believe that free trade is ideal, this course will explain why there is resistance to free trade domestically and around the world. The paradox of resistance to trade and its essence will be illustrated and discussed by reference to far reaching influences of bodies and organizations that facilitate trade, such as Multinational Corporations, IMF, World Bank, the World Trade organization (WTO) and regional cooperation agreements such as NAFTA, ECOWAS, OECD, the European Union and others. The role of organized labor and industry associations and other pressure groups will be discussed in historical context.

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