Why do some countries favor protectionist trade policies while others embrace free trade? Why does trade impact domestic job markets and economic inequality within countries?  Why do tariffs favor high emission industries? This course seeks to answer such questions by analyzing the interplay of how politics affects trade and how trade shapes politics.  Specifically, we will investigate how citizens, corporations, politicians, and international organizations shape trade policies and how trade influences sustainable development issues such as inequality, inclusive economic growth, and climate change.

After successful completion of the course, students will be able to:   

- Apply International Political Economy theories to identify real-world puzzles in the context of global trade.  

- Develop hypotheses that can explain questions related to trade and politics.  

- Adjudicate between competing hypotheses to recommend solutions to policy problems. 

- Defend proposed solutions using reasoned arguments.    

This course will be helpful for students who plan to continue their studies at the master’s level (e.g. international economics, development, political science). Students interested in pursuing a career in fields such as economic consultancy, public institutions, and corporate strategy will also benefit from this course.

This course is classified as 'Examination-immanent' (in German, 'Prüfungsimmanent,' often abbreviated as 'PI'). As a general rule, PI courses have compulsory attendance. However, one class can be missed without negatively affecting the grade. If known in advance, absences must be announced by email to the lecturer ahead of time (e.g., in cases of conflicting class schedules). Missing class for medical reasons (e.g., accident or illness) will not count against the participation requirements as long as a doctor's note can be provided. No makeup assignments will be provided in case of missed assessments. More details on absenteeism rules will be explained in the first class.

The course language is English. Learning activities may include preparatory readings, readiness activities before class, teacher's input, discussions and other in-class activities, small individual assignments and quizzes, peer-review of assignments, and written group work or individual assignments.

- Reading assignments (24%)

- Group assignment with peer review (23%)

- Short writing assignment (18%)

- Creative illustration of core concept (15%)

- Exam - application of learning outcomes (20%)

Course enrollment is based on the 'first-come, first-served' principle. If you have registered but cannot participate in the course, please de-register via LPIS during the registration period so that your place is available to students on the waiting list. If there is a waiting list for enrollment in the course, students on the waiting list will be notified after the end of the enrollment period and will be allocated to available places. Students will be ranked by progress in their studies, not by their rank on the waiting list. This procedure, however, is not to be understood as a guarantee of class space.

Please log in with your WU account to use all functionalities of read!t. For off-campus access to our licensed electronic resources, remember to activate your VPN connection connection. In case you encounter any technical problems or have questions regarding read!t, please feel free to contact the library at readinglists@wu.ac.at.