Book review

This essay will be a detailed analysis of a book, which deals with a salient topic in International Political Economy, and its relevance to today’s dialogue on global political and economic issues.  This paper will be roughly 6-8 pages in length.

Instructions for the assignment:

The purpose of this critical book view is to analyze the author’s argument. Think of why I have assigned this book; or for the ones who have chosen their own book, what was your rationale in choosing that book? What is its relevance in the current discourse of IPE and its respective issue-area? What is the author’s argument? What have other authors said (from what you’ve read in other classes, and in this class) that either corroborates or negates their theoretical perspectives?

I do not want a mere summary of the book: I want a critical assessment of the material, and would like to see your creativity in dissecting the work of these respected authors. Some books are a few years older than others. So, do their arguments still hold up in today’s global economy, with the ever-shifting power dynamic amongst states? If they don’t, why? You could posit your own counter-argument, if you disagree with what the author says. Make sure to provide empirical evidence to support your claims.

Essays should be 6-7 pages (double-spaced) in length, 12-point, and MLA format. No plagiarism, as this is grounds for failing the entire course (which I have done before, without batting an eyelash).

You can use whatever additional sources you’d like to include, as evidentiary support to your argument; just cite properly.

PICK ONE BOOK FROM THE FOLLOWING : (This is the list of books to choose from) 

1. Kerry Chase - Trading Blocs: States, Firms, and Regions in the World Economy


2. Stephen Cohen - Multinational Corporations and Foreign Direct Investment: Avoiding Simplicity  


3. Jagdish Bhagwati - In Defense of Globalization


4. Daron Acemoglu & James Robinson – Why Nations Fail


5. Ha-Joon Chang – Bad Samaritans: The Myth of Free Trade and the Secret History of Capitalism


6. Sakiko Fukuda-Parret al. - Critical and Feminist Perspectives on Financial and Economic Crises


7. Lourdes Beneria et al. – Gender, Development and Globalization: Economics as if All People Mattered


8. Paul Krugman – End This Depression Now


9. Jeremy R. Haft - Unmade in China: The Hidden Truth about China's Economic Miracle


10. Dambisa Moyo - Dead Aid: Why Aid is Not Working and How There is a Better Way for Africa