In the second edition of his Global Political Economy, thoroughly revised, David Reisman reexamines the ideological and material underpinnings of the international order in the light of recent research and developments. Taking belief systems such as liberalism, socialism and nationalism as his way into current controversies and debates, he suggests ways in which the conflicting positions can be reconciled. The book ranges widely, from the role of the superpower hegemon and the international organisations to competing currencies, trade agreements, regional pacts, transnational corporations, intellectual property rights and the less developed countries. Global Political Economy is an impartial, multidisciplinary and comprehensive analysis of the lines of force that are pulling the world together even as they are drawing it apart. Offering an insightful picture of economic unions and international trade, this book will be essential reading for students and scholars of economics and finance, global political economy, international relations, and public policy and politics.