Trade, (De)Globalisation, and the New Mercantilism (L2076A)

30 credits, Level 6

Autumn teaching

You'll gain an understanding of the modern international trading system and the theoretical traditions and political practices that have helped to shape it.

Firstly, you'll examine the core theories around trade and trade liberalisation, particularly those of liberalism, economic nationalism and neo-Marxism, in order to explore different understandings of the relationship between free trade, protectionism, and development.

Next you will look at the evolution of a liberal trade regime in the world economy from its collapse in the interwar period to its resurrection and extension in the form of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in 1947 and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in 1995.

Core elements of, and controversies within, the global trade system will be scrutinised and situated within this historical context. These include:

  • the recurring threat and changing forms of protectionism
  • the increasing fragmentation of the trade system engendered by regional trade agreements
  • the role of emerging powers
  • the differential impact of the trade system on developed and developing countries.

Through this, you establish the empirical and theoretical resources to move towards an assessment of the deadlocked WTO Doha Round and the ongoing negotiations of a Transatlantic Free-Trade Agreement (TAFTA). The aim here is to understand the main actors and areas of contention and to assess the potential for a more equitable and ethical trading system.

Teaching

100%: Seminar

Assessment

30%: Coursework (Essay)
70%: Written assessment (Essay)

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 300 hours of work. This breaks down into about 30 hours of contact time and about 270 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2023/24. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to COVID-19, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let our applicants know of material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

Courses

This module is offered on the following courses: