The Global Political Economy: Power and Inequality

Course Description

This course is nearing capacity. We strongly recommend that you select other courses and apply for more than one course on your application.

Since the 1970s, economic inequality has been steadily rising. Today, the world’s richest 1% own 44% of the world’s total stock of wealth. The problem is especially acute in the United States, where three individuals alone own more wealth than the bottom half of the country combined. This course argues that inequality is neither natural nor inevitable but rather a product of historically determined distributions of power between self-interested actors. We will draw on the work of political economists, historians, journalists, and activists to examine the world-historic causes of socio-economic inequality (such as the roles played by capitalism, colonialism, and chattel slavery), how inequality intersects with identity markers like gender and ethnicity, and the ways in which the climate crisis is pushing the haves and have-nots even further apart.

Course Criteria

Academic Interest

Economics, Law and Politics, Social Sciences (e.g., history, sociology, business)

Application Materials

A complete application includes a transcript, two short essays, a letter of recommendation, writing sample, application fee, and a submitted parent confirmation. If you are seeking need-based financial aid, you must indicate that in your application before it is submitted. Please refer to the Application Instructions for complete details.

Instructor(s)

Sajid, Fahad

Cost

$4,790