Global Political Economy: Theory and Practice (2nd Edition)

Rating:
Summary: Good Introduction & Reference
Review: A great reference and introduction to the topic for students unfamiliar with the terrain (like me).

Despite it's heavy title this text simply and clearly introduces you to the global players and what they do. It then provides an overview of how they are seen by realists (the right), liberals (the free trade proponents), and historical structuralists (the left). It then provides an invaluable overview of major themes in the world economy and offers an impressively unbiased analysis of how people with different perspectives and organizations with different agendas view and respond to these themes.

If you really want to start to understand how global trade is facilitated (and hindered), and are willing to exert the energy to take a deeper look, then use this book to learn about the World Bank, UN (United Nations), IMF (International Monetary Fund), MNCs(Multinationl Companies), Foreign Debt, International Development, Capital Flows and Controls, etc.

Though filled with acronyms and the topics are heavy the book is a surprisingly friendly read. Readers are properly introduced to the international actors and agencies before they are discussed. There is even a glossary at the back in case you forget that SPARTECA is the South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement. =)

While obviously not a casual read, it is a surprisingly captivating read if you have any desire to learn about globalization and the shepparding of the world economy (the shepards still have A LOT to learn).

As with any good book, after reading this book you will be attracted to articles you never even looked at before. Even more amazingly, you will completely understand them.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent if wordy
Review: I have used this book over the past few years in an introductory course on International Politics. The organization of the book is quite ideal for this purpose as the paradigms used in IR (Realism, Liberalism, and Structuralism) are used in the presentation of ways to approach the study of International Political Economy. In addition, there is a useful overview of the Bretton Woods Institutions (IMF, IBRD, etc.) and chapters on IPE topics, such as currency exchange and debt. The only concern that I have had with this text is its growing wordiness, as each edition (now in its 3rd) is released. Undergraduates rarely have the patience for wading through pages of text, particularly on topics such as economics! With that caveat (for which I have only a limited sympathy) I would say the book is one of the best availbable on the subject.