Dr S Woolcock, CLM 6.13

The course is intended for graduate students studying for the MSc in International Political Economy, LSE-PKU Double Degree in MSc International Affairs and students taking the MSc International Political Economy as part of the LSE-Science Po Double Degree in Affaires Internationales programme. The course is also available as an option for students on other degree programmes where degree regulations permit (MPA Programme).

All students are required to obtain permission from the Teacher Responsible by completing the Student Statement box on the online application form linked to course selection on LSE for You. Admission is not guaranteed.

This course enables students to gain an in-depth understanding of the nature of economic diplomacy. The course focuses on decision making and negotiating processes in international economic relations and includes, as an integral part of the course, an opportunity for a dialogue with a range of senior policy practitioners and simulation of negotiations.

The course covers:

• the theoretical and analytical foundations of decision making in economic diplomacy, focusing on national governments but including the role of non-state actors and international organisations;
• analysis of decision-making of processes in developed and developing countries, the European Union and multilateral institutions;
• case studies in economic diplomacy, on issues such as climate change, economic summitry, managing international financial crises, multilateral trade and investment agreements, and others.

There are 20 lectures (IR429.1) beginning in the first week of the MT and continuing through the MT and LT. In addition to the lectures given by LSE staff responsible for the course, senior policy practitioners will make presentations on the case studies. These form an integral part of the course and are designed to provide insights into the factors shaping decision making in international economic relations. The course also includes a weekly seminar series (IR429.2) which will begin in the third week of MT and continue through the MT and LT. The seminars will take the form of student presentations followed by group discussion.

Students will be expected to write three 2,000-word essays during the course of the year to be marked by the seminar teacher.

Students will be expected to read widely in appropriate books and journals. A detailed reading list will be provided at the beginning of MT. The following provide general background to the topic: N Bayne & S Woolcock, The New Economic Diplomacy: Decision-Making and Negotiation in International Economic Relations, second edition 2007; J Odell, Negotiating the World Economy, 2001; J Spero & J Hart, The Politics of International Economic Relations, sixth edition, 2003; N Bayne, Staying Together: The G8 Summit Confronts the 21st Century, 2005.

Assessment will be by means of a three-hour examination in the ST. Students will have to answer three of 12 questions.