Measuring Global Inequality and the Principle Challenges

Final Paper Topic Choices
Write a critical essay responding to one of the following large-scale questions:
• ‘What is wrong with global economic governance, and what is right with it?’
In your answer to this question draw on a variety of readings in class and provide your unique answer. Make sure to establish first in your essay just how you think the global economy is governed, before you turn to evaluating it on your own terms.
• ‘How does the operation of the global trading system help to understand how political power really works in the global economy?’
• ‘Do global markets constrain the policy options of states?’
• ‘Who is in control of the international financial system?’
• ‘Can the operation of global economic governance be changed from the activities of civil society? If so, how? If not, why not?’
• “Is it international organizations or the elites that make decisions within them that ultimately govern the global economy?”
• “Is it possible to influence global economic governance ‘from below’ as some proponents suggest?”
• “How can we measure global inequality, and what are the principle challenges with this measurement?”
• Your own specific research question related to the big themes of the class.
Note that, because this is a higher risk strategy for the final paper, you will have to get this approved by the instructor before you can go forward with it, at least two weeks before the deadline.
The final paper should be between 4-5 pages long, 1.5-spaced, including bibliography and footnotes. There is no particular format of bibliography/citations but please stick to one of the predominant methods/style and be consistent.
This paper is an opportunity for you to apply your new knowledge of IPE and your new analytical skills to a topic of your choice in the field of IPE. You are expected to draw primarily from the course readings but going beyond them is certainly welcomed when appropriate (though not required). The key to the essay is the strength of your argument in answering the question at hand. Focus on the argument’s clarity, your use of evidence, and your demonstrated knowledge of IPE.
You can choose the question that works best for you, and I will upload all the materials for you to write the essay. Most of the questions don't need all the material. You can choose which material is related to the question.