International Political Economy:  Finance, Trade and Migration

Students in the International Political Economy track gain expertise in the finer points of the role of internationalization on interest rates, the value of currency and securities, and the economic performance of nation-states and supranational actors. Students also master the political economy of international trade and multi-national business, as well as learn to identify the linkages between private-sector capital concerns and broader based political and social issues.

Changes to global markets and international trade move at a quick pace, and it is vital for todays international financial analysts to have a firm grasp on the monetary and financial associations between nation-states and other international economic actors. The International Political Economy career track provides students with the skills needed to understand the workings of international markets, transnational economic development agencies, and the international financial connections between countries and across sectors.

Faculty

Public Administration and International Affairs Faculty

Stuart Brown, Advisor
Bejoy Das Gupta *
Yilin Hou
John McPeak
Eliza  Patterson *

(* teach in the Maxwell-in-DC program)

Maxwell Faculty

Merima Ali (ECN)
Kristy Buzard (ECN)
Margarita Estevez-Abe (PSC)
Layla Karakas (ECN)
Mary Lovely (ECN)
Daniel McDowell (PSC)
Devashish Mitra (ECN)
Mark Rupert (PSC)
Tod Rutherford (GEO)
S.N. Sangmpam (PSC)
Simon Weschle (PSC)

Core Course Recommendations

International political economy requires a distinct skillset to equip students to engage in economic and econometric analysis within the international financial governance sector. 
For this reason, students are encouraged to enroll in the following classes as part of their core requirements.

  • Economics: Either PAI 723: Economics for Public Decisions or ECN 601: Survey of Microeconomics.
  • Statistics and Research Design and Evaluation: ECN 521: Economic Statistics (statistics) and ECN 522: Econometrics (research design and evaluation) or PAI 721: Introduction to Statistics and PAI 722: Quantitative Analysis.
  • Management of Programs and Staff: PAI 762: Challenges of International Management and Leadership.
  • Signature Course:PAI 716: Economic Dimensions of Global Power.

International Political Economy: Finance, Trade and Migration Courses

PAI 716              Economic Dimensions of Global Power
PSC 753            International Political Economy
ECN 610            Game Theory
ECN 665            International Economics
LAW 727           International Business Transactions
LAW 798           International Tax Law
PAI 600             Stabilization and Growth in Emerging Markets
PAI 700             Sustainable Development, Security, and the Frontier of Finance
PAI 715             Issues in Global Economic and Financial Security*
PAI 715             International Trade & Economic Negotiation*
PAI 757             Development Economics

(* taught in the Maxwell-in-DC program)

Career Outcomes 

The track prepares students for an array of jobs linked to international economics, including international business, banking and finance, trade and commerce, public finance, and general international economic policy. Students pursuing this career track can pursue positions similar to the following currently held by Maxwell alumni:

National Civil Service

Policy Analyst, Australian Department of the Treasury
Director, U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of the Pacific Basin
International Economist, U.S. Department of the Treasury

International Civil Service

Researcher, International Monetary Fund, Financial Research-Banking Sector
Resource Management Specialist, Inter-American Development Bank
Economist, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development

Private Sector

General Manager, NALA Import-Export 
Founder and CEO, Norwegian Risk Consulting International
Sector/Industry Analysis Leader, Price Waterhouse Coopers