Political Economy of Security

How do governments pay for wars? What are the security implications of financial crises? Can economic coercion replace military coercion? In this course, we will critically examine a broad set of ideas, arguments, and research on topics at the nexus of international political economy and international security. We begin with foundational scholarship on the connections between the domestic economy and state power before turning to the economic means with which states wage war, including the arms trade and war financing. Next, we will examine how the economy is used in pursuit of security goals. We will discuss research on the weaponization of economic and financial ties between states, including financial sanctions. Finally, we will examine scholarship on the economic implications of states’ pursuit of their security interests. (PSCI 0304 or by waiver) 3hrs. sem. (International Relations and Foreign Policy)