PSCI 4783: Global Issues

Fall 2007: Governing Global Trade

Class Meetings: TR 1530-1645, GUGG 206

http://sobek.colorado.edu/~jupille/200703/200703-PSCI4783/

 

Professor: Joseph Jupille                                                                        jupille@colorado.edu

Office: Ketchum 103                                                                             TEL (303) 492-5445

Hours: W 1300-1600 & by appointment                                               FAX (303) 492-0978

subject to change

Description

We live, we are constantly told, in a globalizing world, i.e., one in which goods, services, capital, ideas, culture, and many other things move easily across borders and figure into our daily lives.  Trade, and especially trade in goods, represents one of the central components of globalization.  Yet trade hardly operates in a political vacuum – quite opposite, it is quintessentially an issue of political economy.  Trade also represents an issue-area in which governance arrangements have arisen to a great extent, though with varying properties and levels of success.  In this course, we focus on the governance of global trade both on its own terms and as a way of thinking more generally about problems of governance in a globalizing world.  That is, I hope that you will leave this class with a deep understanding of the political economy of trade and with a deeper understanding of the possibilities and limitations for “governance”, especially in the context of globalization.

 

Our collective inquiry into the governance of global trade this semester will unfold in four parts.  Part I provides some foundations by considering the basic economics and politics of international trade.  Part II, the core of the course, looks at trade governance mechanisms at the national, regional and global levels of analysis.  Part III engages some pressing contemporary topics, with a special focus on the problem of “forum shopping” among alternative trade governance arrangements.  Part IV concludes the course.

 

Course Components and Assessments

This is a specialized upper-division course.  I maintain very high standards and expectations.  I will expect each of you to engage in a sustained and sophisticated inquiry into advanced concepts and contemporary issues and to communicate the results orally and in writing.  This course also satisfies a “critical thinking” requirement within the College of Arts and Sciences at CU – it is organized and will be conducted accordingly

 

Your final grade will reflect the weighted average of these elements:

 

Element

Description

Weight

ORAL COMPONENT

Participation

Participation constitutes twenty percent of your grade.  I expect each of you to attend class, to complete all assigned readings and any required questions, homework, or other outside assignments on time, and to participate in an informed and respectful way in our discussions.  Bringing in news items or current events to discuss at the beginning of class is a terrific way to enhance your participation grade.  This is a specialized course, and my expectations for informed participation will be high.  I will use the full range of scores (0-100) in assessing your participation.  If you do not constructively and knowledgeably participate, you will score a zero on this portion of your grade.

20%

Presentation

Each student will make a class presentation of topics on the syllabus.  Additional instructions regarding presentations, which constitute ten percent of the final grade, have been posted.

10%

WRITTEN COMPONENT

Topical Papers (3)

You will be required to complete three topical papers (max 5-page), totaling forty percent of your final grade, according to a schedule and on topics to be determined. Guidelines have been posted.

OPTION B, ADDED 10/9/2007: if you wish further to diversify your grade, you may submit a fourth paper at any time during part III of the course, on any of the topics covered throughout the semester or on another topic of your choosing (subject to my approval).  Pursuing this option will reduce the weight of each paper to 10% of your course grade.

40%

(3@13.3% OR 4@10%)

Take-Home Final Examination

Each student will be required to complete a take-home final examination, worth thirty percent of your final grade, to be handed in at the date and time given in the schedule below.  Guidelines have been posted.

30%

 

I will grade your work on the following (standard) scale.

 

 

 

B+

87-89

C+

77-79

D+

67-69

 

 

A

94-100

B

83-86

C

73-76

D

63-66

F

0-59

A-

90-93

B-

80-82

C-

70-72

D-

60-62

 

 

 

Required Materials

The following materials are required for the course.

  • Destler, I.M.  2005.  American Trade Politics, 4th edition.  Washington, DC: Institute for International Economics. ISBN-10: 0881323829.
  • Narlikar, Amrita.  2005.  The World Trade Organization: A Very Short Introduction.  Oxford: Oxford University Press.  ISBN: 9780192806086.
  • Economist magazine.  I have been criticized in the past for assigning this and not using it.  But I insist that you subscribe to (or keep up with through the library subscription) this wonderful news magazine.  Reduced-price student print subscriptions are available from . http://www.economistacademic.com/.  You can also access current issues for free through the library link to the Expanded Academic Index or, more simply, through http://www.economist.com/.  Read this every week -- you’ll thank me later.
  • Readings marked ONLINE are available directly online by clicking on the link in the course schedule.
  • Readings marked E-RESERVES are available through the CU Libraries webpage, by clicking on “reserves” (at the bottom of the page), then entering my last name (Jupille) in the instructor field., then clicking on PSCI 4783.
  • Readings marked E-ARTICLES are available through the CU Libraries webpage, by clicking on “find journals/serials”, entering the title of the journal in the search box, and then clicking through to the online version of the publication.  I have provided you with complete bibliographic information so that you can find these sources.

Policies

Special Accommodations

I will be happy, when possible, to accommodate students’ needs. Please note, however, that requests for special accommodations need to be presented in a timely manner: at least one week prior scheduled exams / assignments.

 

Learning disabilities

If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to me a letter from Disability Services in a timely manner so that your needs may be addressed.  Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities.  Contact: 303-492-8671, Willard 322, and http://www.Colorado.EDU/disabilityservices

 

Religious Observance

Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to reasonably and fairly deal with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance.  The above remark on timely signaling of special accommodation needs applies also to religious observance needs. See full details at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html

 

Class Behavior

Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Students who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards may be subject to discipline. Faculty members have the professional responsibility to treat all students with understanding, dignity and respect, to guide classroom discussion and to set reasonable limits on the manner in which they and their students express opinions.  Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender variance, and nationalities.  Class rosters are provided to the instructor with the student’s legal name. I will gladly honor your request to address you by an alternate name or gender pronoun. Please advise me of this preference early in the semester so that I may make appropriate changes to my records.  See policies at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html and at http://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#student_code

 

Academic Integrity

All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior.  All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council (honor@colorado.edu; 303-725-2273). Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information on the Honor Code can be found at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html  and at http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/

 

Discrimination & Harassment

The University of Colorado at Boulder policy on Discrimination and Harassment (http://www.colorado.edu/policies/discrimination.html), the University of Colorado policy on Sexual Harassment and the University of Colorado policy on Amorous Relationships apply to all students, staff and faculty. Any student, staff or faculty member who believes s/he has been the subject of discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status should contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment (ODH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550.  Information about the ODH and the campus resources available to assist individuals regarding discrimination or harassment can be obtained at http://www.colorado.edu/odh.

 

 

 

COURSE SCHEDULE

 

DATE

DOW

WK

MTG

TOPIC

ASSIGNMENT

LINKS

Part I. Introduction

 

20070828

T

1

1

Course Introduction

No reading

OH01

20070830

R

1

2

The Dilemmas of Global Trade

Moon, "Trade and Trade Issues," (E-RESERVE).

OH02

20070904

T

2

3

Theoretical and Historical Contours

Moon, "The Theoretical and Historical Origins of Trade Issues," (E-RESERVE).

OH03

20070906

R

2

4

The Basic Political Economy of Trade

**David Ricardo, On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation, 3rd edition (London: John Murray, 1821; first published 1817), ch.7, paras. 7.11-7.17, http://www.econlib.org/library/Ricardo/ricP.html (ONLINE);
**Joseph M. Grieco and G. John Ikenberry, “The Economics of International Trade,” in State Power and World Markets: The International Political Economy (New York: W.W. Norton, 2003), pp. 19-56 (E-RESERVE).

OH04

20070911

T

3

5

The Governance Problem

**Joseph M. Grieco and G. John Ikenberry, “The Political Foundations of the World Economy,” in State Power and World Markets: The International Political Economy (New York: W.W. Norton, 2003), pp. 92-123 (E-RESERVE).

OH05

Kuhlmann

(handout, OH)

Part II. Multi-Level Political Economy of Trade Governance

 

II.A. Domestic Politics and Policies

 

20070913

R

3

6

Commerce and Coalitions

**James Alt and Michael Gilligan, “The Political Economy of Trading States: Factor Specificity, Collective Action Problems and Domestic Political Institutions,” Journal of Political Philosophy 2, 2 (1994): 165-192 (E-RESERVE).

OH06

 

20070918

T

4

7

US Trade Politics: Foundations

Destler, chs. 1-2.

Waldorf

(handout, OH)

20070920

R

4

8

US Trade Politics: Ideational and Institutional Contours

**Judith Goldstein, “The Impact of Ideas on Trade Policy: The Origins of U.S. Agricultural and Manufacturing Policies,” International Organization 43, 1 (Winter 1989): 31-71 (E-ARTICLE).

OH08

Furlong

(handout, OH)

Bugbee

(handout, OH)

20070925

T

5

9

US Trade Politics: Changing Context

Destler, chs. 3, 7

Schufreider

(handout, OH)

20070927

R

5

10

US Trade Politics: NAFTA

Destler, ch. 8.

Szarowicz

(handout, OH)

20071002

T

6

11

US Trade Politics: Current Issues

Destler, chs. 11-12.

Davis

(handout, OH)

20071004

R

6

12

Discussion

No reading.

Topical Paper #1 due at start of class.

 

II.B. The Political Economy of Regionalism

 

20071009

T

7

13

Regionalism: Definitions and Contours

**Louise Fawcett, “Exploring regional domains: a comparative history of regionalism,” International Affairs 80,3 (May 2004), pp. 431-439 only (E-ARTICLE);
**Jo-Ann Crawford and Robert V. Fiorentino, “The Changing Landscape of Regional Trade Agreements,” WTO Discussion Paper no. 8 (2005), http://www.wto.org/english/res_e/booksp_e/discussion_papers8_e.pdf, pp. 1-16 only (ONLINE).

OH13

Furlong

(handout, OH)

Pallotti

(handout, OH)

20071011

R

7

14

Explaining the “New Regionalism”

**Edward D. Mansfield and Helen V. Milner, “The New Wave of Regionalism,” International Organization 53, 3 (Summer 1999): 589-627 (E-ARTICLE).

Bruder

(handout, OH)

20071016

T

8

15

Western Hemisphere: Mercosur

**Felix Peña, “Understanding Mercosur and Its Future,” Miami European Union Center Jean Monnet/Robert Schuman Paper Series 5,14 (June 2005), http://www.miami.edu/eucenter/penafinal.pdf (ONLINE);

OH15

Keller

(handout, OH)

20071018

R

8

16

Africa

**Naceur Bourename, “Regional Integration in Africa: Situation and Prospects,” in Regional Integration in Africa (Paris: OECD, 2002), pp. 17-43 (E-RESERVE);

OH16

Aguilar

(handout, OH)

Riddle

20071023

T

9

17

Asia

**Kenneth B. Pyle, “Regionalism in Asia: Past and Future,” Cambridge Review of International Affairs 16,1 (2003), pp. 17-32 (E-ARTICLE);
**Richard Blandy, “Executive Summary and Synthesis,” in Regional Integration in the Asia-Pacific: Issues and Prospects (Paris: OECD, 2005), pp. 9-24 (E-RESERVE).

OH17

Campbell

(handout, OH)

Skinner

(handout, OH)

20071025

R

9

18

Discussion

None.

Topical Paper #2 due at start of class.

 

II.C. Global Trade Governance

 

20071030

T

10

19

The Postwar System

Narlikar, ch. 1.

Gerk

(handout, OH)

20071101

R

10

20

WTO: Formation and Organization

Narlikar, chs. 2-3.

Riordan

(handout, OH)

Soojian

(handout, OH)

20071106

T

11

21

WTO: Issues and Operation

Narlikar, chs. 4-5.

Joder

(handout, OH)

20071108

R

11

22

Doha Development Round

Narlikar, ch. 6

ElTabib

(handout, OH)

20071113

T

12

23

Evaluating WTO Governance

Narlikar, ch. 7.

Hill

(handout, OH)

20071115

R

12

24

Discussion

None.

Topical Paper #3 due at start of class.

 

20071120

T

13

xx

Fall Break

 

20071122

R

13

xx

Fall Break

 

III. Global Trade Topics

 

20071127

T

14

25

Free Trade vs. Fair Trade

**Daniel W. Drezner, “Memorandum to the President,” in US Trade Strategy: Free vs. Fair (Washington, DC: Council on Foreign Relations, 2006), http://www.cfr.org/content/publications/attachments/CPCTrade.pdf, pp. 1-39 (ONLINE).

 

20071129

R

14

26

Trade and Development

**Dani Rodrik, “The Global Governance of Trade – As If Development Really Mattered,” United Nations Development Programme background paper, October 2001.  ONLINE at http://ksghome.harvard.edu/~drodrik/UNDPtrade.PDF.

Kent & France

(handout, OH)

20071204

T

15

27

Trade and Environment

**Daniel C. Esty, “Bridging the Trade-Environment Divide,” Journal of Economic Perspectives 15,3 (Summer 2001): 113-130 (E-ARTICLE).

Townsend & Kornbluth

(handout, OH)

20071206

R

15

28

Trade and Human Rights

**Emilie M. Hafner-Burton, “Trading Human Rights: How Preferential Trade Agreements Influence Government Repression,” International Organization 59, 3 (Summer 2005): 593-629 (E-ARTICLE).

Silber & Shah

(handout, OH)

20071211

T

16

29

Institutional Choice in Global Trade

**Joseph Jupille, Book Prospectus: Trading Rules: Forum Shopping Within and Among International Institutions. ONLINE at http://sobek.colorado.edu/~jupille/research/Trading%20Rules.pdf.

Karabel

(handout, OH)

IV. Conclusions

 

20071213

R

16

30

Course Conclusions

None.

 

20071219

W

X

xx

Take-Home Final Examination Due In My Office by 9 a.m.

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