The Practice of Political Risk

1.5 Credits · Level: Graduate, Juris Doctor

There is a growing realization that politics is at least as important as, if not more important than, economic variables in determining economic outcomes. This course will focus on building a solid understanding of political risk analysis and applying these skills to current, real-world problems. Students will explore key topics in global political risk, but hinge that understanding on a comparative analysis of evolving political systems, such as those in China, Nigeria, and the U.S. Students will develop an appreciation for the different world-views and paradigms that influence how political actors view the world and what interests drive their economic choices. We will also explore theories of political forecasting and practice implementing tools of predictive analysis. By the end of the course, students will have developed a political risk toolkit that they can use to: (1) assess and anticipate the impact of politics on business operations and market outcomes, and (2) gain insight into the drivers of policymaking.