Example international political economy dissertation topic 8:

The doctrine of mandala: A critique of Hindu theories of international relations.

Moving away from traditional western ideals of IPE, this dissertation focuses on Hindu theories of international relations and particularly the doctrine of mandala and issues of external sovereignty and relationships between states. This dissertation seeks to further the general understanding of readers as to what can be gained from an appreciation of differing cultural stances in IPE. As such, this is a dissertation that will primarily rely upon existing secondary data and take the form of a thorough literature review – linked to contemporary and historic examples. It is thus a thesis area ideally suited to someone who does not wish to engage in the collation of new primary data.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• McCleary, R.M. and Barro, R J. (2006). ‘Religion and political economy in an international panel’. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, vol. 45(2), pp. 149-175.
• Modelski, G. (1964). ‘Kautilya: Foreign policy and international systems in the ancient Hindu world’. American Political Science Review, vol. 58(3), pp. 549-560.
• Shahi, D. (2013). ‘Indian scholarship on international relations and multilateralism’. Economic & Political Weekly, vol. 48(5), pp. 51-58.