DE LA SALLE – COLLEGE OF SAINT BENILDE

SCHOOL OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY STUDIES

CONSULAR AND DIPLOMATIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM

COURSE SYLLABUS
INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY (IPE):
THEORY AND PROBLEMS

COURSE FACILITATOR: PROF. MA. SUSAN J. LUCERO

masusan.lucero@benilde.edu.ph
CONSULTATION TIME: By Appointment on THs, CDA office
CREDITS: 3 units
TYPE OF COURSE: Major Theoretical Course
PRE-REQUISITE: WORLGEO, EASTCIV, WESTCIV, INTECOM,
POLIGOV
TERM, SECTION, SCHEDULE & ROOM: 2nd Term AY 2016-17; LS1; T, 1800-2100; M507

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This Course is in league with IR, IPE, CONDIP, INTRLAW 1 and 2 and DEVPATH, these courses being
constitutive of the theoretical foundations of their respective pillars. As a major theoretical course for
the Governance and Development Pillar, this Course provides the theoretical, conceptual and analytical
frameworks necessary for undertaking the practical exercises provided for in applied and special topics
courses designed to simulate tasks of entry-level jobs related to diplomacy and development in national
and international public and non-government organisations. This is best taken in the same term as the
other major theoretical courses, during the students’ second year.

The Course provides the major theoretical and conceptual perspectives of the field of International
Political Economy. In particular, it assesses what each theoretical position has to say about two sets of
relationships: i) between the domestic and global or international or regional domains and; ii) between
the political and economic arenas. In this assessment, what each theoretical position has to say about
the interactions between power, wealth, states and markets is examined. The assessment is undertaken
using the 3Cs framework. That is, each theoretical position is analysed for (i) its intellectual origins and
Context; (ii) its major analytical Claims or premises; and (iii) the major Critiques made of it. While largely
theoretical, the Course also affords students with the opportunity to apply the learned theoretical
frameworks and concepts for analysing key issues at the intersection of selected states’ economic and
political life within the context of intensifying globalisation, regional integration and
decentralisation/devolution.
 COURSE AIMS: On completion of this Course, the students will have:

1. Acquired knowledge on the various theoretical and conceptual perspectives of the field of
International Political economy;
2. Developed a critical understanding of how competing theories understand key aspects of the
changing global order such as the intensification of economic globalisation, the emergence of new
forms of governance, including regional integration, the (re-)configuration of the state, the emphasis
on decentralised action and the significance of new social forces;
3. Apply the learned theoretical lenses to investigate, understand and explain issues at the intersection
of political and economic life at various levels of analysis - global, international, regional, national
and sub-national/local.
4. Appreciated the role of significance of IPE perspectives in governance, development management
and diplomacy; and
5. Developed key analytical, interpretative, organising and written and oral communication skills.

EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES and COMPETENCIES

Specialised Knowledge See Course Outline/Content below for specifics

Critical Analytical,
Integrative and
Synthesis Skills
necessary for Higher
Level Studies and
Entry-level jobs
 How to do Book Review
 How to write an evidence-based research paper using
integration, synthesis, as well as historical and argumentative
review of related literature (RRL), based on a theoretical
framework
 How to use applied research to support decision-making/
problem-solving, evidence-based advocacy and lobbying

COURSE OUTLINE/CONTENT AND INDICATIVE SCHEDULE

Date Session # Topic/Sub-Topic

January 10 1&2 0 Housekeeping Session
1 Course Overview
January 17 3&4 2 Review of Key Political and Economic Concepts and Introduction to IPE
3 Why Theories Matter in IPE: A Review of the Nature of Social Sciences as applied
to IPE Issue Areas
4 A Survey of IPE Theories and Perspectives
4a Variants of Realism
January 24 5 4a1 Realism’s Historical Precursors (Structural, Historical and Liberal Realism)
4a2 Mercantilism and Realism in the Industrial Revolution Period
6 4a3 Classical Realism
4a4 Essential Realism: Self-help, Statism, Survival
January 31 7-8 4a5 Neo-Realism: Hegemonic Stability Theory (HST) and Regime Theory
4b Variants of Liberalism
February 07 9 4b1 Classical Liberalism
10 4b2 Republican Liberalism and Complex Interdependence, Free Trade
and Democratic Peace
February 14 11 4b3 Neo – Liberal Institutionalism
12 4b4 Neo-liberalism and its Intellectual Antecedents: From Rational Choice to Public
Choice Theory
 COURSE OUTLINE/CONTENT AND INDICATIVE SCHEDULE

Date Session # Topic/Sub-Topic

February 21 13-14 4c Other Perspectives and Research Projects
4ca Statist-Institutionalism: Embedded Autonomy of Developmental States
4cb Social Constructivism
Book Reviews due
February 28 15-16 Mid-Term Exam
Research Planning
Possible Topics for Group Research Paper
 Internationalisation/Transnationalisation of Production: When (MN/TN)
Corporations Rule the World and its consequences
 International Monetary Relations, Emergence and Growth of Symbol Economy,
Foreign Debt and Financial Crisis: Dynamics, Causes and Consequences
 Employment, Decent Work and Labour Rights under Globalisation
 Accountability in the Global Environmental Regime
 Intellectual Property Rights Regime: Applications in Social Services Sectors
(Rights-based Approach versus Commodification or Privatisation of Public Goods)
4d Historical-Structuralist Theories and Perspectives
March 07 17-18 4d1 Marxism: Critical Political Economy
March 14 19 4d2 Dependency Theory: Development and Underdevelopment
20 4d3 World System Theory: Core, Semi–Periphery & Periphery in World Economy
March 21 21-22 4d4 Neo–Gramscian World Order Theory: Social Forces, States and World Order
March 28 23-24 Research Consultations
April 04 25-26 Integration
Submission of Research Paper
April 11 27-28 Final Exam
April 17 Grade Consultation

COURSE ORGANISATION AND METHODS

This Course will be taught in 28 one-and-a-half-hour-sessions at two sessions per three-hour classes per
week, including a “housekeeping” session in the first week, a Mid-term Exam halfway through the term,
a Final Exam and Grade Consultation at the end of the term. The housekeeping session is intended to (i)
enable the members of the Learning Team (Professor, co-facilitators and students) to get to know each
other; (ii) organise the Learning Team into the structure that will facilitate the learning process during
the whole term; and (iii) level expectations on the general administrative and specific classroom rules
that shall govern the learning process. There shall also be a session dedicated for Course Introduction
and Overview where the course aims, method, content, assessment requirements and standards are
discussed and agreed upon.

Consistent with the nature of the Course, bulk of the term will be devoted to intensive instruction on IPE
theories. Each regular theoretical instruction session will be structured as follows: (i) first 10 minutes for
classroom set-up, attendance taking, administrative concerns and interactive synthesis of the previous
session; (ii) next 80 minutes for the first session; (iii) 10-minute break; (iv) next 75 minutes for the
second session; and (v) the last 5 minutes for session wrap-up. The learning methods that will be
employed include multi-media presentations, visualised chalk-talks, and interactive discussions.
Halfway through the term, the students will be given the opportunity to apply their newly-acquired
knowledge of IPE theories and concepts as lenses for analysing cases through a book review. The book
to be reviewed shall be chosen by the Course Facilitator. Detailed guidelines shall be provided later.
During the last half of the term, the students will be organised into research teams. The teams will
undertake research on key issue areas confronted by selected states, again using learned IPE theories
and concepts as analytical frameworks. The process of social scientific investigation will be closely
guided by the Course Facilitator, from the identification of the research topic, the formulation of the
research design and analysis.

COURSE POLICIES, REQUIREMENTS AND ASSESSMENT

The student’s performance in this Course shall be assessed as follows:

1. Class Standing
a. Attendance 10%
b. General Participation (Recitation & Team Co-Facilitation) 10%
3. Book Review (2,500 words) 20%
2. Midterm Exam 20%
4. Team-based Research Project 20%
5. Final Exam 20%

Notes:
1. Absences shall be dealt with using the relevant CSB rules and regulations as mentioned in the Student
Handbook. According to this handbook, each student can only absent himself or herself for a maximum of five
(5) sessions during the course of the whole term. Unexcused absences in excess of this limit shall constitute
sufficient ground for failing the Course. Tardiness (coming to class beyond the first 20 minutes) will be noted
and considered in marking General Participation.
2. For the students to meaningfully participate in the learning process and to maximise learning, engagement
with the recommended reading materials prior to each session is required. Students shall be pre-selected to
serve as co-discussants for certain sessions. This participation shall be graded.
3. The synthesis of the previous session shall include a rundown of topics covered, a treatise of the highlights of
the discussion, a treatment of issues raised and resolved and an over-all assessment of the learning process
undertaken.
4. There shall be two quizzes. The two quizzes and Mid-Term Examination shall serve as practice ground for the
Final Examination.
5. The book for review due after mid-term examination shall be pre-selected by the Professor. Plagiarism is
considered a serious offense and shall constitute sufficient ground for failing the course. Citation for all
written work should follow the APA standard. Content and format guidelines shall be provided. The grading
criteria shall be discussed and agreed upon in advance of the submission.
6. Likewise, the focal themes of the research projects shall be pre-determined by the Professor. This requirement
shall be undertaken by Teams. Detailed guidelines for going about this group project shall be provided later.
The grading criteria shall be discussed and agreed upon prior to the seminar sessions.

REFERENCES

General Reference Books

Balaam, D. N. and M. Veseth. (2010). Introduction to Political Economy (5th ed.). Upple Saddle River, NJ: Pearson
Prentice Hall.
Baylis, J., et al. (2011). The Globalization of World Politics (5th ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Cohn, T. H. (2005). Global Political Economy: Theory and Practice.
Cohn, T. H. (2011). Global Political Economy (6th ed.). New York: Pearson Longman.

Required Readings (Articles, copies may be secured from Prof. Lucero)

1 - COURSE INTRODUCTION

Biersteker, T.J. (1993). Evolving perspectives on international economy: Twentieth - century contexts and
discontinuities. International Political Science Review, 14(1), 7-33.
Cohn, T.H. (2000). Global political economy: Theory and practice. New York: Longman, pp. 3-22.
Lowi, T.H. (2001). Our millennium: Political science confronts the global corporate economy. International Political
Science Review, 22(2), 131-150.
Strange, S. (1995). Political economy and international relations. In K. Booth and S. Smith (Eds.), International
relations theory today. UK: Polity Press, pp. 154-174.
Tooze, R. (1997). International political economy in an age of globalization. In J. Baylis and S. Smith (Eds.), The
globalization of world politics: An introduction to international relations (pp. 212-229). UK: Oxford
University Press.

2 - REALISM: SELF-HELP, STATISM & SURVIVAL

Cohn, T.H. (2000). Global political economy: Theory and practice. New York; Massachusetts; California; England;
Ontario; Sydney; Mexico City; Madrid; Amsterdam: Longman, pp.59-67.
Dunne, T. & Schmidt B.C. (____). Realism. ______________________.
Dunne, T. (1997). Realism. In J. Baylis and S. Smith (Eds.), The globalization of world politics: An introduction to
international relations (pp. 109-123). UK: Oxford University Press.
Mastanduno, M. A. (ND). A realist view: Three images of the coming international order. In T.V. Paul & J. A. Hall
(Eds.), International order and the future of world politics (pp.19-37). Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press.

3 - NEO-REALISM: HEGEMONIC STABILITY AND REGIME THEORY

Keohane, R.O. (1996). The theory of hegemonic stability and changes in international economic regimes, 1967-
1977. In C.R. Goddard, J.T. Passé-Smith, & J.G. Conklin (Eds.), International political economy: State-
market relations in the changing global order (pp. 89-108). Colorado; London: Lynne Rienner Publishers.
Linklater, A. (1995). Neo-realism in theory and practice. In K. Booth and S. Smith (Eds.), International relations
theory today (pp. 241-261). UK: Polity Press.

4 - REALISM AND NEO-REALISM

Burchill, S. (ND). Realism and Neo-realism. In S. Burchill, A.Linklater, R. Devetak, M. Paterson and J. True (Eds.),
Theories of international relations (pp. 67-92). UK: Palgrave Macmillan.
Hobson, J.M. (2000). The state and international relations, England; New York: Cambridge University Press, pp.17-
63.

5 – LIBERALISM

Burchill, S. (ND). Liberalism. ____________: ______________, pp. 29-69.

Doyle, M.W. (1999). A liberal view: preserving and expanding the liberal pacific union. T.V. Paul and J.A. Hall (Eds.),
International order and he future of world politics (pp. 41-66). England; New York: Cambridge University
Press.
Dunleavy, P. and O'Leary, B. (1987). Theories of the state: the politics of liberal democracy. London: Macmillan
Publishing, pp. 72-135.
Gill, S. (2000). The constitution of global capitalism. Paper presented to a panel: The Capitalist World, Past and
Present at the International Studies Association Annual Convention, Los Angeles, 20 pages.
Gill, S. And Law, D. (1988). The global political economy: perspectives, problems, and policies. New York; London;
Toronto; Sydney; Tokyo; Singapore: Harvester-Wheatsheaf, pp.41-53
Hobson, J.M. (ND). The state and international relations. England; New York: Cambridge University Press. (pp. 64-
105).
Keohane, R.O. and Nye, J.S. (1996). Realism and complex interdependence. In Goddard, C.R., Passé-Smith, J.T., &
Conklin, J.G. (Eds.), International political economy: state-market relations in the changing global order.
(pp. 53-63). London: Lynne Rienner Publishers.
Ward, Hugh (2002). Rational choice. In D. Marsh and G. Stoker (Eds.), Theory and methods in political science (2nd
ed.). UK: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 65-89.

6 - MARXISM: CRITICAL POLITICAL ECONOMY

Barrow, C.W. (2002). The Miliband-Poulantzas debate: An intellectual history. In S. Aronowitz & P. Bratsis (Eds.),
Paradigm lost: State theory reconsidered (pp. 3-52). Minneapolis and London: University of Minnesota
Press
Dunleavy, P. & O'Leary (1987). Theories of the state: The politics of liberal democracy. London: Macmillan
Publishing, pp.203-270.
Hay, C. (1999). Marxism and the state. In A. Gamble, D. Marsh, & T. Tant (Eds.), Marxism and social science (pp.
152-174). London: Macmillan Publishing.
Overbeek, H. (2000). Transnational historical materialism: Theories of transnational class formation and world
order. In R. Palan (Ed.), Global political economy: Contemporary theories (pp.168-183). London and New
York: Routledge.

7 - DEPENDENCY THEORY: DEVELOPMENT AND UNDERDEVELOPMENT

Törnquist, O. (1999). Politics and development: A critical introduction. London, Thousand Oaks, New Delhi: SAGE
Publications, pp. 64-69.

8 - WORLD-SYSTEM THEORY: CORE, SEMI- PERIPHERY & PERIPHERY IN WORLD ECONOMY

McMichael, P. (2000). World-systems analysis, globalization, and incorporated comparison. Originally published in
the Journal of World-Systems Research, 5(2): 217-51.

9 - NEO-GRAMSCIAN WORLD ORDER THEORY: SOCIAL FORCES, STATES AND WORLD ORDER

Cox, R.W. and Sinclair, T.J. (1996). Approaches to world order. England; New York; Australia: Cambridge University
Press, pp. 85-123.
Cox, R.W. and Sinclair, T.J. (1996). Approaches to world order. England; New York; Australia: Cambridge University
Press, pp. 124-143.
Cox, R.W. and Sinclair, T.J. (1996). Approaches to world order. England; New York; Australia: Cambridge University
Press, pp. 3-18.
Germain, R.D. and Kenny, M. (1998). Engaging Gramsci: International relations theory and the new Gramscians.
Review of International Studies, 24, 3-21.
Gill, S. (1993). Gramsci and global politics: towards a post-hegemonic research agenda. In S. Gill (Ed.), Gramsci,
historical materialism and international relations (pp. 1-18). England; New York; Australia: Cambridge
University Press.
Murphy, C.N. (1998). Understanding IR: understanding Gramsci. Review of International Studies, 24, 417-425.

10 - STATIST-INSTITUTIONALISM: EMBEDDED AUTONOMY OF DEVELOPMENTAL STATES

_______ (______). The sources of state capacity. _______ (pp.14-40). ________: _________.
Woods, N. (2000). The challenge to international institutions. In N. Woods (Ed.), The political economy of
globalization (pp. 202-223). London: Macmillan.

Journals

Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, International Affairs, International Organizations, Journal of Democracy, New
Political Economy, Pacific Review, Review of International Political Economy, Review of International Studies, and
World Politics.

Virtual Library

Your are strongly encouraged to visit these websites: the University of Warwick Center for the Study of
Globalization and Regionalization (CSGR) at http://www.warwick.ac.uk./csgr/ ; the University of Sheffield Political
Economy Research Center (PERC) at http://www.shef.ac.uk/uni/academic/N-Q/perc/; and IPE net at
http://csf.colorado.edu/ipe/ and Theory Talks www.theory-talks.org