The Study of International Politics II: International Political Economy

Paper assignment for class of December 3

When Polanyi wrote about the “double movement” of society vis-a-vis the self-regulating market, he was writing in the aftermath of the Great Depression of the 1930s. Looking back now, from the vantage point of 2008, could we extend Polanyi’s argument to refer to a double double movement, i.e., toward self-regulation, away, toward again, and away again?  In your answer, pay attention to the word “extend” above: the issue is whether the same forces that underlie Polanyi’s double movement could arguably underlie a double double movement. When constructing your answer, it might be worthwhile to think about what Thompson calls a “moral economy.”

Your paper is restricted to five pages, double-spaced, Times New Roman 12-point font, with 2 cm. margins. Be sure to number the pages and to put your name somewhere. The paper is due, either in hard copy form or as a Word attachment, to Assia, no later than 10.00 on 3 December.
 

Paper assignment for class of November 26

In her chapter “Race and Bureaucracy,” Arendt argues that “race as a principle of the body politic” and “bureaucracy as a principle of foreign domination” were “interrelated in many ways.” Of course, Arendt was writing about the era of European imperialism, which raises the question of whether one or more types of “interrelation” exist when there are no formal colonies and hence no colonial administrators. Answer this question, paying particular attention to the issue of economic transactions that cross international borders. Hint: you might find it of some relevance to reflect on the article by Domosh, even though it is about the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Your paper is restricted to five pages, double-spaced, Times New Roman 12-point font, with 2 cm. margins. Be sure to number the pages and to put your name somewhere. The paper is due to Assia no later than 10.00 on 26 November.
 

Paper assigned for class of October 29

Are there significant differences between the ways in which nation-relevant landscapes are shaped by artistic or economic actors, on the one hand, and by public officials, on the other? In answering the question, be sure to come up with a definition of “significant” and use it as a criterion in constructing your argument. You might find it helpful to look at not only the required readings but also the optional readings by Ronda and by Agnew (on Italy).

Your paper is restricted to five pages, double-spaced, Times New Roman 12-point font, with 2 cm. margins. Be sure to number the pages and to put your name somewhere. The paper is due as a Word attachment to Assia no later than 10.00 on 29 October.
 

Paper assignment for class of October 15

In his essay “Rival Interpretations of Market Society,” Hirschman (p. 1468) presents Weber as arguing that the disappearance of “the spirit of frugality” or of “the repressive ethic” (as he variously glosses “worldly asceticism”) is a “serious threat” to capitalism’s survival. On the other hand, Weber famously characterizes capitalism as having become all-encompassing, “victorious,” and tantamount to an “iron cage.” Who’s right? Is Hirschman misinterpreting Weber, or does Weber not understand the implications of his own argument? Or, instead, are both of them correct? Be sure to make an argument.

Your paper is restricted to five pages, double-spaced, Times New Roman 12-point font, with 2 cm. margins. Be sure to number the pages and to put your name somewhere. The paper is due, either in hard copy form or as a Word attachment, to Assia, no later than 10.00 on 15 October.