This course reviews the processes by which a global political
economy emerged and developed into the system we now have.  While
some attention is given to very early processes (eg, 5500 years ago),
most of the emphasis is placed on the past 1000 years of development -
and within the last millennium, the past 500 years are particularly
critical.  Specific topics examined include long-term economic
development, wars, the rise and fall of major powers, north-south
inequality, the role of international organizations, military
revolutions, democratization,  and evolutionary trajectories in a
variety of political-economic and military phenomena related to world
politics.  There will be two mid-terms, a choice between a cumulative
final and a course paper, and several short papers.  No specific
background is assumed.