What are the cutting edge debates in global political conomy? This book presents an invaluable overview of all the major contemporary debates and approaches at the forefront of European and North American global political economy. The book covers the following topics: <BR> *the six central concepts of global political economy: state, firm, capital, power, labour and globalisation<BR> *theories at the frorefront of GPE: from rational choice, neo-institutionalism, neo-Marxism, constructivism to postmodernity<BR> *recent developments in theoretical approaches such as game theory, modern rational and public choice theory, development theory, historical sociology<BR> *how global political economy is best understood in terms of three traditions of political economy: Marxism, rationalism and hermeneutics/institutionalism<BR> *whether global political economy is best understood in terms of three traditions of political economy: Marxism, rationalism and hermeneutics/institutionalism<BR> No other book provides suchsuccinct summaries, by international experts in the field, of such topical, wide-ranging issues and controversies; this book represents an essential compact guide, ideal for students and lecturers in IPE and international relations.