Politcl Econ: Contemp Conflct

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Juris Doctor

This course focuses on the ramifications of the interplay between politics and economics in the contemporary security environment. It begins with an introduction to the basic concepts of political economy and relates how the concepts are useful for understanding the challenges that both state and non-state actors face. Next, students will examine the tools of economic statecraft—their strengths and weaknesses—with an emphasis on their interplay with the security environment. The basics of economic development and how conflict impacts state success and failure is explored. Finally, students will apply the core concepts from the beginning of the course to the political economy of various illicit actors, including terrorists, insurgents, criminals, warlords, and pirates. Course Objectives: At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to: ● Understand the effects of political economy and apply its core concepts to the contemporary security environment; ● Understand and apply the economic element of power to national security problems; ● Analyze the role of political and economic development in conflict and post-conflict environments; ● Assess the political and economic constraints and advantages of state actors, various illicit actors, and the populations in which they interact.