I/06 Global Politic Economy/Business & Governance

This short course aims to introduce students to the role that business – especially multinational firms – plays in the governance of international trade and investment. To do so, it begins with an overview of the relationship between multinational firms and the globalization of production and trade. With this relationship in mind, students are confronted with the role that business plays in the politics of international trade, either in terms of negotiating trade treaties or harmonising standards and regulations internationally—differing standards and regulations across countries have become much greater impediments to trade than tariffs. Finally, students examine the private governance of international trade and investment, which touches on the international harmonisation of product and service standards, the self-regulation of industries, as well as the settlement of disputes privately.