Political Risk Assessment

1.5 Credits · Level: Graduate, Juris Doctor

This course will look at the fundamentals of political risk analysis—the exploration of the impact of politics on economic outcomes—through segments on theory, research and practice. It will investigate multiple levels of risk— from the macro (international, cross-regional, and national) to micro (local), giving students the full overview of the range of political factors that impact business activity. It will focus, however, on macro geopolitical risks—transnational issues—and how they impact economic decision-making. The course will provide an introduction to the practice of political risk assessment, introducing active tools for forecasting, and articulating political risk. The skills gained will be professionally applicable to understanding the challenges facing governments, multilateral organizations, the financial sector, and businesses large and small. Throughout, we will engage the current literature on risk assessment to collectively bridge the gap between theory and practice. Students will be required to write a series of short papers, exploring each level of political risk analysis--transnational, country, and local risk using a case study approach. In-class exercises will include mock client presentations, where the student is the political risk analyst, and a final presentation.