I/12 The Political Economy of International Trade

The purpose of this course is to examine the logic, developed principally by economists but often commented upon by lawyers and political scientists, to account for:

• The various forms of protectionism employed by government, especially in the light of the recent global economic downturn,
• The economic consequences and purported rationale for different forms of discrimination against foreign commercial interests,
• The different forms of reciprocity in international trade negotiations and the ability to account for the sustained trade reform seen since WWII,
• The rationale for signing trade agreements and their scope, and
• The factors that determine the use of trade defense instruments.

As such the course will cover different explanations for the observed levels of trade barriers and their changes over time; the logic that underlies different liberalization strategies; the notion of reciprocity and its implications for the choices that governments have with respect to trade agreements.

We welcome interested individuals as weekly students in this course. As a weekly student you do not need any knowledge of the field to participate. The price of signing up to this course as a weekly student is CHF 1'500.

In order to participate in this course, join our MILE Programme or sign up as a weekly student. Contact us if you require more information and we will gladly be of assistance.