Teacher(s)
Language
English
Content
This course examines the evolution of international economic governance from a historical and systemic perspective, beginning with the contemporary challenges facing the multilateral order. It places these challenges within the longer history of globalization, from the expansion of international trade associated with the Age of Discovery to the increasingly complex flows of goods, capital, investment, technology, and standards that characterize the global economy today.
The course focuses on the interaction between three key dimensions: the changing nature and structure of international economic exchange, geopolitical relations and shifting balances of power among states, and the forms of governance that emerge from these dynamics. Rather than treating governance as an autonomous framework that shapes economic and geopolitical relations, the course approaches it as the institutional and political outcome of prevailing patterns of interdependence and power. This perspective provides a basis for understanding how different systems of international economic governance have emerged, evolved, and been challenged over time, and why periods of economic and geopolitical transformation often lead to changes in the rules and institutions governing the global economy.
The course focuses on the interaction between three key dimensions: the changing nature and structure of international economic exchange, geopolitical relations and shifting balances of power among states, and the forms of governance that emerge from these dynamics. Rather than treating governance as an autonomous framework that shapes economic and geopolitical relations, the course approaches it as the institutional and political outcome of prevailing patterns of interdependence and power. This perspective provides a basis for understanding how different systems of international economic governance have emerged, evolved, and been challenged over time, and why periods of economic and geopolitical transformation often lead to changes in the rules and institutions governing the global economy.
Teaching methods
Lectures will alternate with seminar sessions.
Lectures may also be supplemented with critical reading and discussion of published articles and book chapters.
Lectures may also be supplemented with critical reading and discussion of published articles and book chapters.
Evaluation methods
Assessment will consist of a continuous assessment component and an examination component. In this course, the emphasis is on individual assessment, unless the number of students makes this approach difficult to implement.
1. Continuous assessment:
Assignments (such as reading and research work) and quizzes will be set and assessed (in writing and/or orally) on a continuous basis throughout the semester. Continuous assessment requires students’ attendance and participation in classes.
Grades obtained for continuous assessment are carried over to the second session. Only students who were absent from continuous assessments and were able to justify their absence with a medical certificate will be eligible to have their continuous assessment rescheduled for the second session. This does not apply to unjustified absences.
2. A written and/or oral examination will take place during the examination period (the format of the examination depends on the number of students enrolled on the course).
3. AI regulations for this course:
1. Continuous assessment:
Assignments (such as reading and research work) and quizzes will be set and assessed (in writing and/or orally) on a continuous basis throughout the semester. Continuous assessment requires students’ attendance and participation in classes.
Grades obtained for continuous assessment are carried over to the second session. Only students who were absent from continuous assessments and were able to justify their absence with a medical certificate will be eligible to have their continuous assessment rescheduled for the second session. This does not apply to unjustified absences.
2. A written and/or oral examination will take place during the examination period (the format of the examination depends on the number of students enrolled on the course).
3. AI regulations for this course:
- As part of the assessment for this teaching unit, the use of artificial intelligence is prohibited, whether for exploration and conceptualisation or for writing.
- If students use AI systems as language assistants during assessments (e.g. for proofreading in English), they are required to provide a screenshot or transcript of their interaction with the chosen AI system(s).
Online resources
All necessary documents (readings and teaching material) will be posted on the Moodle platform.
Bibliography
Key Readings and references will be proposed among the following (non-exhaustive) bibliography:
Wouters, J., Biedenkopf, K., Raube, K., & Müller, G. G. (Eds.). (In Press: 2027). The Routledge handbook of global reordering and connectivity. Routledge.
Mavroidis, P. C. (2025). Industrial policy, national security, and the perilous plight of the WTO. Oxford University Press.
Bergsten C.F. (2022). The United States vs. China: The quest for global economic leadership, Polity press.
Miller C. (2022). Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology, Scribner.
Hopewell K. (2020). Clash of Powers: US-China rivalry in global trade governance, Cambridge University.
Heydon K. (2020). The political economy of international trade, Polity Press.
Ravenhill J. (2020). International Political Economy, 6th edition.
Blustein P. (2019). Schism, China, America and the fracturing of the global trading system, Cigi Press.
Krishen K. A. (2018), Guide to the WTO and GATT: economics, Law and Politics, Springer.
Dicken P. (2015), Global Shift 7th edition, SAGE Edition.
Adda J. (2007). Histoire de la Mondialisation, La découverte.
Helleiner, E. (1994). States and the reemergence of global finance: From Bretton Woods to the 1990s. Cornell University Press.
Wouters, J., Biedenkopf, K., Raube, K., & Müller, G. G. (Eds.). (In Press: 2027). The Routledge handbook of global reordering and connectivity. Routledge.
Mavroidis, P. C. (2025). Industrial policy, national security, and the perilous plight of the WTO. Oxford University Press.
Bergsten C.F. (2022). The United States vs. China: The quest for global economic leadership, Polity press.
Miller C. (2022). Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology, Scribner.
Hopewell K. (2020). Clash of Powers: US-China rivalry in global trade governance, Cambridge University.
Heydon K. (2020). The political economy of international trade, Polity Press.
Ravenhill J. (2020). International Political Economy, 6th edition.
Blustein P. (2019). Schism, China, America and the fracturing of the global trading system, Cigi Press.
Krishen K. A. (2018), Guide to the WTO and GATT: economics, Law and Politics, Springer.
Dicken P. (2015), Global Shift 7th edition, SAGE Edition.
Adda J. (2007). Histoire de la Mondialisation, La découverte.
Helleiner, E. (1994). States and the reemergence of global finance: From Bretton Woods to the 1990s. Cornell University Press.
Faculty or entity
