This seminar surveys the defining political economy issues of our time. It explores the interplay between politics and economics in the substantive issue areas of trade, finance, investment, development, and redistribution. The seminar surveys the most provocative, influential contributions in multiple disciplines utilizing a wide range of research methods. Contemporary debates are studied in depth, including the fragmentation of production, causes and consequences of financial crises, growing inequality, economic development challenges, and the determinants of public goods provision. The course equips students with the conceptual and empirical tools to better understand current developments, provides exposure to multiple perspectives, and builds confidence in development one's own point of view.
This course examines the origins and evolution of modern terrorism, the challenges posed by terrorist groups to states and to the international system, and strategies employed to confront and combat terrorism. We assess a wide variety of terrorist organizations, and explore the psychological, socioeconomic, political, and religious causes of terrorist violence past and present. We also analyze the strengths and weaknesses of various counterterrorism strategies, from the point of view of efficacy as well as ethics, and look into ways in which the new threat of global terrorism might impact the healthy functioning of democratic states.