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Rethinking International Political Economy
In this timely book, Benjamin J. Cohen identifies and analyses a range of critical pathologies currently afflicting the field of international political economy (IPE) and offers remedies to restore the field’s vitality. The book addresses the purpose of IPE as a field of study, highlighting the key questions posed by scholars since the modern field’s inception, and explores how research seeks to engage with politics in practice.
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Critical Acclaim
Contents
More Information
In this timely book, Benjamin J. Cohen identifies and analyses a range of critical pathologies currently afflicting the field of international political economy (IPE) and offers remedies to restore the field’s vitality. The book addresses the purpose of IPE as a field of study, highlighting the key questions posed by scholars since the modern field’s inception, and explores how research seeks to engage with politics in practice.
Tackling contemporary factionalism in the field, chapters consider IPE’s remarkable diversity and fragmentation of research traditions across the globe and draw attention to the lack of clear methods and behavioural assumptions established as ‘best practice’ internationally. To rejuvenate the field, Cohen argues, reforms are needed that would both encourage more policy engagement by IPE scholars and maximize opportunities to enjoy the benefits of the field’s diversity. The book offers a cutting-edge research agenda, emphasising the need for collaboration across scholarly divides and the obligations of leading professional associations and societies to countervail the forces that keep these groups separated.
A powerful critique and a rousing call-to-arms, this book is crucial reading for scholars of IPE in search of innovative ways to develop new research and revitalise the field as a whole. It also offers key insights for students who need to understand the challenges facing IPE and its potential research trajectories.
Tackling contemporary factionalism in the field, chapters consider IPE’s remarkable diversity and fragmentation of research traditions across the globe and draw attention to the lack of clear methods and behavioural assumptions established as ‘best practice’ internationally. To rejuvenate the field, Cohen argues, reforms are needed that would both encourage more policy engagement by IPE scholars and maximize opportunities to enjoy the benefits of the field’s diversity. The book offers a cutting-edge research agenda, emphasising the need for collaboration across scholarly divides and the obligations of leading professional associations and societies to countervail the forces that keep these groups separated.
A powerful critique and a rousing call-to-arms, this book is crucial reading for scholars of IPE in search of innovative ways to develop new research and revitalise the field as a whole. It also offers key insights for students who need to understand the challenges facing IPE and its potential research trajectories.
Critical Acclaim
‘It is difficult to think of anyone more qualified to survey the state of IPE scholarship than Benjamin Cohen, who has long been among its leading contributors. In this latest book his diagnosis of the field is characteristically passionate, precise and bracing: IPE is in a state of disrepair and possibly flirting with collapse. Many readers will not agree with every aspect of this critique or with the proposed remedies. But all will benefit from engaging with Cohen’s arguments at a time when the stakes for the academy and the world may never have been higher.’
– Andrew Walter, University of Melbourne, Australia
‘Benjamin Cohen’s latest book on the state of international political economy is a cri de cœur, a passionate yet highly perceptive account of the growing gap between IPE’s potential and its current reality. It is a must-read, and the challenge it presents to the subject field should be tackled head-on.’
– Matthew Watson, University of Warwick, UK
‘One of the giants and founders of IPE, Cohen provides a compelling analysis of progress and pathologies in the field while sketching a path forwards. Scholars both fresh and well seasoned will profit from a close read of his timely reflections.’
– David Lake, University of California, San Diego, US
‘Benjamin Cohen’s career spans over a half century, and so it is entirely appropriate that he capitalizes on this vantage point to provide us with a penetrating appraisal of the state of our field. Honestly engaging with his assessment can only strengthen what we do. I highly recommend it.’
– Randall Germain, Carleton University, Canada
– Andrew Walter, University of Melbourne, Australia
‘Benjamin Cohen’s latest book on the state of international political economy is a cri de cœur, a passionate yet highly perceptive account of the growing gap between IPE’s potential and its current reality. It is a must-read, and the challenge it presents to the subject field should be tackled head-on.’
– Matthew Watson, University of Warwick, UK
‘One of the giants and founders of IPE, Cohen provides a compelling analysis of progress and pathologies in the field while sketching a path forwards. Scholars both fresh and well seasoned will profit from a close read of his timely reflections.’
– David Lake, University of California, San Diego, US
‘Benjamin Cohen’s career spans over a half century, and so it is entirely appropriate that he capitalizes on this vantage point to provide us with a penetrating appraisal of the state of our field. Honestly engaging with his assessment can only strengthen what we do. I highly recommend it.’
– Randall Germain, Carleton University, Canada
Contents
Contents: Preface 1. Introduction 2. The Big Picture 3. Rethinking purpose 4. Rethinking diversity 5. Rethinking agenda 6. The Big Challenge Index
