International Political Economy

[Censorry]

IPE is sometimes included as a sub-field of international relations, for example that was the case in my MA program.

 

In some US universities too, IPE is included as a subfield of IR.

 

On the other hand, some universities do IPE with a comparative perspective, and include it as a subfield of Comparative Politics.

 

Boston's IPE class for example is listed under comparative politics.

 

So when I say in my SoP that I am interested in comparative politics, particularly IPE will that be a problem?

 

To make matters worse, there is also something called comparative political economy the subjects of which differ from IPE.

 

I am interested in exploring both but have way more experience with IPE.

 

So when I am choosing a major field, I wanted to choose comparative politics and IPE as a subfield.

 

Please answer if you know what you are talking about.

 

Thank you

[catchermiscount]

If you want to do IPE, call it IR.  If you want to do CPE, call it CP.  It's really not too much more complicated than that---I wouldn't let the occasional curriculum change the views too much.

[Censorry]

If you want to do IPE, call it IR.  If you want to do CPE, call it CP.  It's really not too much more complicated than that---I wouldn't let the occasional curriculum change the views too much.

 

Okay, here is what I am interested in, international financial institutions and private aid allocation, which are both clearly IPE subjects. CPE is the study of how political context affects economic policy choice and outcomes. But that is also something I want to explore.

 

Furthermore, I did an MA in international relations and have a strong theoretical background there. However, I also want to EXPLORE, if I am accepted, the comparative method as the Unis I am applying have strenghts there.

 

So if I say I will choose CP as a major field and IPE as a subfield, does that sound weird?

 

Or can I jjust mention IPE and also that I want to explore comparative politics. I mean we have damn 2 years to decide!

 

I really don't like these arbitrary boundaries.

[catchermiscount]

Well, not only do you have two years, but you also get to have multiple fields.  But for now, it sounds like you're most marketable in IR and that your interests most intuitively align with IR.

 

And yes, the boundaries are dumb.  They don't seem any smarter as you get further into your training or when you try to tell people what subfield your dissertation is in.

[IRToni]

Basically, IPE is a subfield of IR. Say IR and CP as secondary, and then mention political economy, I would say!

[Censorry]

Ok thanks for the feedback!