Discussion:
Some IPE theorists that Mercantilism is inevitable. Explain what is meant by this and illustrate with examples from class, the text and readings. How does this challenge Classical Liberalism? Does this imply that no efforts should be made to curtail or mitigate Mercantilist policies? In addressing this issue, be sure to distinguish between aggressive and benign Mercantilism. Are there points on which Interventionist Liberals and Mercantilists might agree?
2. In class I asserted that there is much in constructivist approaches to IPE that is both good and original, but unfortunately, much of what is original is not good and much of what is good is not particularly original. What did I mean? Critically evaluate my statement by explaining the following: What is IPE? What is constructivism? To what degree does constructivism branch out in new directions from the three major paradigms of IPE: Liberalism, Realism/Mercantilism, and Historical Structuralism? To what degree does it incorporate the insights of these perspectives?
3. Trace the evolution of Marxist critiques of capitalism and globalization from Marx's original formulation, Lenin's theory of Imperialism, World Systems theory and Gramsci's theory of ideological hegemony. To what degree are these ideas consistent or inconsistent with Realism? How they challenge Classical Liberalism? How do they challenge Interventionist Liberalism? Are there ways it could be consistent with Interventionist Liberalism?