Introduction to International Political Economy

This introductory undergraduate course introduces the sub-discipline of International Political Economy (IPE). The field of IPE does not have a clear, universally agreed set of concerns, assumptions, or theoretical underpinnings but has rather been characterised as a ‘field of inquiry’, ‘set of questions’ or ‘area of investigation’ exploring the inter-relationships between politics and the economy in an international context. How does the global (political) economy work, and for whose benefit? The course examines empirical developments and challenges in IPE, contemporary issues related to: global trade, production, multinational corporations, consumption, finance, economic crises, development, digitisation, climate change and national/global capitalism(s). Whether it be the US-China trade war, the costs and profits from climate change, or the instability of global financial markets, this course aims to develop an ability to analyse, compare and critically evaluate fundamental assumptions and arguments about the ways in which political and economic spheres are globally connected.

You can check out the syllabus here.

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China and the Global Economy

This advanced undergraduate course analyses China’s changing role in the contemporary global political economy. China has become central for how global capitalism functions. The aim of this course is to critically analyse China’s rise and impact on the global economic system. In part 1, the course provides an overview of China’s socio-economic system, its economic transformation (reform and opening) as well as the characteristics and development of Chinese capitalism. In part 2, the seminar explores in detail China’s integration into and changing role within the global economy. Thereby, China is placed into the center of the analysis of the global economic system, investigating China’s changing role in areas such as global finance, trade, production, consumption or digitisation.

From global value chains, China’s role as factory of the world, the advent and decline of the Chimerica-constellation, China’s rise in development finance, the US-China trade war to reshaping global infrastructure and trade flows through the Belt and Road Initiative, the course aims to develop an ability to analyse, compare and critically evaluate fundamental assumptions and arguments about the ways in which the global economy functions. Thereby, the course moves away from a purely Eurocentric perspective on the global economy by building on both ‘Western’ and Chinese scholarship and perspectives, enabling students to gain a more nuanced understanding of China’s changing global role and its implications. Basic knowledge in IPE is essential for this course.

You can check out the syllabus here.

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Politics of Global Finance

This postgraduate course analyses the (changing) politics of global finance. The global financial system, its governance and how it conveys power in the global political economy have been important research topics in International Political Economy (IPE). However, since the global financial crisis (2007-2009), the global financial system has been subject to multiple shifts that require closer analysis. How has the role of central banks changed through quantitative easing? Are stock exchanges really just marketplaces? Does finance function differently in non-Western countries? Are banks still the masters of the universe?

Addressing these and other questions, the course examines empirical developments and conceptual innovations in the politics of global finance since the global financial crisis. The course first discusses the historical development of the global financial system and introduces theoretical concepts for its study such as structural power, private authority, financial hierarchies or market infrastructures. Second, the course analyses shifts in global finance such as the emergence of important financial actors, changing practices in global markets, their interlinkages and post-crisis implications, including (but not limited to): the transformation of banks, the rise of non-bank actors investors, the growing importance of emerging markets, the shift towards passive investing or the advent of high-frequency trading. Through an exploration of these topics, the course aims to address central IPE questions about the politics of global finance: Who holds power in global financial markets? How is this power exercised? Are the loci of power shifting? And who benefits from this setup?

You can check out the syllabus here.

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Research Design in International Political Economy

This postgraduate course focuses on applied research methods. How do scholars conduct research in International Political Economy (IPE)? How do we pose the questions for which we seek answers? And how do we go about answering these questions? These and similar questions are crucial when designing research projects and students will encounter with these throughout their studies (and especially when writing a dissertation). Whether it is assessing the effects of the US-China trade war, explaining the lobbying success of global financial actors, uncovering corporate ownership networks or investigating how austerity became the dominant ideology that influenced the management of the eurozone crisis, how we design our research is crucial. This course aims to assist students with making choices in setting up and conducting their own research projects, covering a range of topics: starting from the formulation of research topics and research questions, application of theories, concept specification and operationalisation, the design of data collection activities, and basic qualitative and quantitative data analysis techniques. Instead of focusing on a specific method, the course addresses a variety of approaches to empirical research in International Political Economy such as network analysis, inferential and descriptive statistics, archival research, expert interviews, case studies or participant observation. During the course of the seminar, students are expected to use these insights to design, present and conduct their own research projects in the area of International Political Economy. The course can thereby be used as preparation for an MA thesis in the field of IPE.

You can check out the syllabus here.

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Current Avenues in Comparative & International Political Economy Lecture Series

In this lecture series we invite leading scholars from Comparative and International Political Economy to present their ongoing research projects that engage in cutting-edge discussions in the discipline both in terms of the concepts they use and develop as well as with respect to their empirical work. What is the spectre of state capitalism and how should we think about the role of the state in the 21st century global economy? How to analyse regulatory cycles in finance and the role of central banks as crucial actors during times of financial turbulence? How does infrastructure finance determine the geo-economics of the Indo-Pacific amidst a politics of global economic decoupling? The lecture series aims to explore these and other questions by bringing leading scholars into conversation with the growing Comparative and International Political Economy crowd at Goethe University and the greater the Frankfurt area. The lecture series is co-organised with Carola Westermeier.

You can find the line-up for the winter term 2022-23 here.

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Supervision

I supervise BA and MA dissertations in the following subject areas: International Political Economy, Comparative Political Economy, Development Studies, Social Studies of Finance, China Studies, Financial Geography, Economic Sociology

Examples of currently supervised topics:

• An intersectional critique of critical macro-finance
• Green energy transition in South Africa
• The rise of the Open Economic Politics paradigm
• ESG and the German banking industry
• Corporate finance and global corporate strategy
• Economic sanctions and protectionism
• Empire, 20 years on