This popular and successful text provides a comprehensive introduction to the global political economy of today, set in a broad historical context. It introduces an unusually wide range of theoretical approaches and highlights how useful they are in tackling key issues - from trade, production and finance to social divisions, development and the environment. The second edition has been revised and updated throughout with the addition of additional chapters on gender, on ideas, and on key current issues and debates.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Understanding the Global Political Economy PART I: EVOLUTION Forging a World Economy 1400-1800 Industrial Revolution, Pax Britannica and Imperialism The Twentieth Century: World Wars and the Post-1945 Order PART II: DYNAMICS International Trade Transnational Production The Global Financial System Global Division of Labour Gender Economic Development Global Environmental Change Ideas Governing the Global Political Economy Conclusion: Issues in Contemporary GPE Theory

About the Author

ROBERT O'BRIEN holds the LIUNA/ Enrico Henry Mancinelli Professorship in Global Labour Issues at McMaster University, Canada. He has published books and articles on the subjects of international trade, global labour issues, social movements and international economic institutions, global social policy. MARC WILLIAMS is Professor of International Relations, University of New South Wales, Australia. His research focuses on global environmental politics, social movements, and global economic governance.

Reviews

Comments on the 1st edition: 'Comprehensive, theoretically sophisticated, and empirically rich. Right now, this is quite simply the best textbook in the field.' - Craig N. Murphy, Wellesley College and President, International Studies Association 2001/2 'A well-pitched, concise and accessible introduction to the fast-changing field of international political economy. Studies will be engaged by the authors' judicious blend of theory, history, and contemporary evidence.' - Louis W. Pauly, Director for International Studies, University of Toronto 'This is an excellent book... comprehensive in its approach, informative but highly original, presenting a pertinent and well sustained argument.' - Rodica Milena Zaharia, The European Legacy