International Political Economy in the 21st Century

Understanding the theories that underpin international political economy (IPE), and their practical applications, is crucial to the study of international relations, politics, development and economics.

International Political Economy in the 21st Century is a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the field, providing an engaging and coherent foundation to the subject. It considers both traditional and alternative approaches to IPE, elucidating key concepts, assumptions and the intellectual and historical context in which they arose and developed. The book consistently demonstrates the relevance of these theories to issues such as trade, finance, government, environment, technology, health, labour, security, migration, development and culture.

This text encourages independent reflection and critical thinking through a range of in-text guiding features. Each chapter presents theoretical analysis alongside contemporary issues, helping readers relate to the real world of IPE and better understand how theory informs interpretation.

New to this edition:

• Comprehensively updated to include key coverage of the post-2015 framework of the Sustainable Development Goals, the financial crisis, and international government responses—successful or otherwise—to recent challenges.
• Fully updated data, reflective questions, recommended readings, concept and example boxes, and illustrations.
• New chapters on health, migration and labour.
• Additional coverage of trade theories and key contemporary issues, such as national versus human security, economic versus human development, and illegal networks in global trade.