Principles of International Political Economy is the only text to bridge the gap between the real world of politics underlying the international economy and the tools that researchers use to understand IPE. Utilizing a central theoretical framework, the book provides a systematic and widespread introduction to the standard topics covered in an IPE course. It also emphasizes the role of domestic and international institutions in IPE and incorporates several subject areas that are not covered well in other texts, including political determinants and consequences of financial crises; implications of the rise of the BRICs; international environmental politics; the political origins and effect of sovereign debt; and the politics of foreign aid and its effect on development, democracy, and human rights.