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Bachelor of Arts, Political Economy Major - Why study Political Economy?

Although the study of political economy has a long and proud history, its importance has grown over the past several decades. Recent developments such as the dramatic changes in the price of oil and other minerals, currency value fluctuations, the impact of regional and international trade agreements (such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)), as well as the shifting dynamics within major international groups such as the G-8 and the G-20, have initiated some of the most profound changes in Canadian political and economic governance since Confederation.

At the global level, the impact of the financial crisis of 2008, growth slow-downs in all major industrialized countries of the world, the economic rise of China and India, and the challenges of regulating international flows of people, goods, funds, and technology, have fuelled an increasing interest in international political economy. The consequences and challenges posed by the subsequent restructuring will have to be researched and studied for years to come. The Political Economy degree program offers students these opportunities by introducing you to this fascinating field.

Additionally, transformations wrought by globalization as well as the new information and communications technologies (ICTs) make it vitally important that students understand both local political and economic relations and their connections to global change. Thus, the Athabasca University degree program in Political Economy is designed to provide students the knowledge and practical skills necessary to meet the profound challenges of the 21st century.

Follow the links below and to the left to find out more information about the study of Political Economy and the Bachelor of Arts degrees available through Athabasca University.

For more information on Political Economy as an academic area of study, please contact:

  • Meenal Shrivastava
    Associate Professor and Academic Coordinator
    E-mail: meenals@athabascau.ca
    Toll free: 1-866-500-2924 (Canada/U.S.) or 780-244-6017
    Fax: 780-497-3416

Updated February 09, 2024 by Digital & Web Operations (web_services@athabascau.ca)