Political Economy

In this paper,will be expected to choose some contemporary problems in international economic relations and evaluate alternative policy solutions, taking account of both economic and political dimensions of the issue. The choice of problem is up to you. The focus of the paper should be on the comparative effectiveness and feasibility of alternative possible policies, and should address the following questions: (1) what is the URGENT problem, what are its origins, and why is it important? (related to International Political Economy) (2) What solutions might be proposed, and what are their strengths and weaknesses? (3) Is any one policy solution clearly superior as a way to solve the problem, or does the problem require a combination of solutions? The aim of the paper is comparative analysis ,not mere description. That means that you must try to do three things: (a) identify the key issues involved in the problem you choose to discuss; (b) identify and evaluate alternative possible solutions; and (c) make a case for your own preferred policy choice. In making a case, it is not enough simply to state your opinion; you must also say, to the extent possible, why what you believe is better than any other choice available. In other words, you must compare and contrast relevant possibilities, weighing and evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of each as best you can.