Module description
In the midst of growing global turmoil, the discipline of International Political Economy faces increasing pressure to overcome its imperial legacies. Most of the transformations taking place in the global political economy cannot be understood without an in-depth analysis of the history and legacy of colonialism and imperialism, and without questioning the resulting denial of agency to people outside Europe. The so-called decline of the West, the return of east Asia at the centre of the world economy, the new scramble for Africa, wars, migration, new forms of racial and gender oppression, the Covid-19 pandemic crisis: all these phenomena cannot be understood in isolation from the process of worldwide expansion of capitalism and colonialism, and the national, racial and gender hierarchies it engendered. But these phenomena cannot be understood either in isolation from the global struggle for emancipation and the massive wave of anti-colonial movements that opened with the Haitian revolution and then grew in the following century breaking the legitimacy of colonial and racial domination.
This module seeks to overcome the separation between political economy and postcolonial studies, investigating the linkages between empire and political economy, and the forces and theoretical traditions that have sought to disrupt this partnership both outside and in the West. By introducing students to the rich but often neglected history of anti-colonial movements, this module discusses the achievements and limitations of decolonization and investigates the economic, political and epistemological issues it raises. By decentring the way in which political economy questions are posed, it seeks to provide students with tools to give new answers to the challenges of the present.
Assessment details
one 3,000 word essay (100% of module mark)
Educational aims & objectives
- Offering a comprehensive overview of the main political economy issues pertaining to colonialism/imperialism, anti-colonialism/anti-imperialism and post-colonialism
- Introducing the history and theories of colonialism, imperialism and racism, along with the struggles and rich intellectual traditions opposing them
- Introducing post-colonialism as a distinctive approach to International Political Economy
- Enabling students to put in question the predominance of western voices within the field of IPE
- Assessing the significance of southern perspectives and epistemologies to address contemporary issues such as: the relationship between class, race gender and empire, hegemonic crisis and transition, neo-colonialism, imperialism, extractivism, migration
- Exploring the theoretical issues in empirical case studies
Learning outcomes
Learning Outcomes:
- Situate different political economy traditions within the history and theories of empire/imperialism
- Appraise non-western contributions to IPE
- Identify postcolonial studies as a contested field
- Compare theories of empire, imperialism and hegemony
- Describe the history of the anti-colonial movement and decolonization
- Assess the relevance of anti-colonial thinkers from different regions
- Appraise the strengths and limitations of dependency and world systems theories
- Investigate the political economy of migration and racialization
- Analyse the relationship between class, race, gender and empire using different strands of anti-racist and feminist thought
- Develop skills of empirical analysis by exploring the theoretical issues in case studies
- Critically select an appropriate mix of sources
Employability
This module will allow students to develop transferable skills and knowledge that are highly sought-after in both the public and private sector, especially at a time of crisis in the understanding of multiculturalism, race relations, and religious and national affiliations.
- Assess the political economy dimensions of issues of difference and identity
- Relate to broader movements to decolonise British and Western societies, beyond as well as within the academy
- Address broader Diversity, Equality and Inclusion issues, which are increasingly crucial in workplaces and management.
Teaching pattern
1-hour weekly lecture and 1-hour weekly seminar
Indicative Teaching Schedule:
Week 1: A postcolonial political economy?
Week 2: From diversity to divergence
Week 3: Empire of economics
Week 4: Empire contested
Week 5: Racism and Black power
Week 6: Contesting development
Week 7: Dependency or revolution
Week 10: Empires at war
Week 8: Women, workers and subalterns
Week 9: Neoliberalism and empire
Note that this teaching schedule is indicative and subject to change.