The Economic Factor in International Relations: A Brief Introduction: Volume 19 (Library of International Relations)

Economics no longer forms the backdrop to world events but rather appears to drive foreign policy and represents a more powerful resource than military strength. If globalization is irreversible, then conquering markets is much more important than conquering territory. These are the claims made about economics in world affairs, both by policy analysts and by armchair philosophers. This book examines these claims critically shows how political agendas and speculation have formed many of our current assumptions about the workings of economics in the world today. CONTENTS 6 PREFACE 8 ACRONYMS 12 PART I QUESTIONS, CONCEPTS, THEORIES 14 Chapter 1 The Economic Factor in International Relations 16 Chapter 2 Economic Liberalism 29 Chapter 3 Economic Nationalism 47 Chapter 4 Marxism and Imperialism 61 PART II INSTITUTIONS 78 Chapter 5 Bretton Woods and International Money Management 80 Chapter 6 GATT,WTO and Trade Relations 97 Chapter 7 The International Economic Order and the Challenge from the South 115 PART III ISSUES AND TRENDS 134 Chapter 8 Economic Aid 136 Chapter 9 Economic Sanctions 153 Chapter 10 Regionalism 174 Chapter 11 Globalisation 190 Conclusion The Borderful World 210 BIOGRAPHICAL GLOSSARY 215 INDEX 234 Annotation Economics no longer forms the backdrop to world events but rather appears to drive foreign policy and represents a more powerful resource than military strength. If globalization is irreversible, then conquering markets is much more important than conquering territory. These are the claims made about economics in world affairs, both by policy analysts and by armchair philosophers. This book examines these claims critically shows how political agendas and speculation have formed many of ourcurrent assumptions about the workings of economics in the world today "'The Economic Factor in International Relations' is a timely reminder that economics cannot be treated unquestioningly, nor should its important be overvalued in the world today. An ideal guide for students of IR as well as history, politics or economics, it sets out the principles of that play-off between market and policy in the global arena, and seeks to establish the basis for an intelligent critique of economics' importance in the world order."--Bloomsbury Publishing. The Economic Factor in International Relations' is a timely reminder that economics cannot be treated unquestioningly, nor should its importance be overvalued in the world today. An ideal guide for students of IR as well as history, politics or economics, it sets out the principles of that play-off between market and policy in the global arena, and seeks to establish the basis for an intelligent critique of economics' importance in the world order The somewhat hackneyed statement that economics are more important in international relations today than they have ever been contains more than a few grains of truth.