The University of Manchester

IDPM60341 Transformations in the World Economy 2011/2012 ASSIGNMENT #1 (100% of final mark) The essay should be submitted to an IDPM Programme Administrator between 1pm and 4pm on 10 January 2012.

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Essay: 100% of mark You are to write one essay of 3,500-4,000 words. Please select ONE of the following questions:
1. Compare and contrast the work of TWO of the following writers in terms of

their analysis of economic transformation in the world economy: a. b. c. d. Adam Smith Karl Marx Andre Gunder Frank Raul Prebisch and Hans Singer

Assess the extent to which the theoretical frameworks they offer help us to understand the unfolding of the recent economic crisis and its geographically differentiated impacts. 2. The Global Production Network (GPN) and Global Value Chain (GVC) frameworks have been put forward as frameworks for analysing the global

economy and its impacts on development. Using one or more examples, examine the extent to which analysis using one of these frameworks (or both if you are ambitious) lends insight into changes in the world economy and how this may impact prospects for development. 3. Critically assess the role of neo-liberalism in setting the agenda for developing countries since the 1980s. To what extent, if any, is a new paradigm of a postneoliberalism era emerging? 4. Using a country case study, examine how the policies of the Bretton Woods institutions since the Structural Adjustment Programmes have impacted development outcomes either for the national economy as a whole or a particular sector. Please consider not only the historical changes but also the current situation of the national economy or sector. 5. Consider the prospects of South-South cooperation in bringing about greater development for particular developing countries or region. Please examine both the economic and political dimension of South-South cooperation.