LAWS 4897 Justice, Development, and the Global Economy

How is the current crisis in globalization changing the nature of international law, international society and global governance? What would it take to construct a just global economy? How can international economic law and institutions be reformed towards this end? These are a few of the questions considered in this seminar, through an introduction to the phenomenon of globalization and to some of the principal theoretical perspectives (i.e., political philosophy, sociology, economics, etc.) currently being applied in the study of these developments. Together we apply these and other theoretical perspectives to select issues in globalization studies and the operation of international economic law institutions, particularly the work of the WTO, IMF and World Bank. Assessment will be primarily based on a final writing project that will be completed by the last day of classes, supplemented by a short in-class presentation based on a reading from the syllabus, adjusted for participation.