Political Economy

Political economy generally explores the production, allocation, and consumption of goods and services, including the role the state plays in these processes. The sociological approach to the study of political economy draws upon distinctive theoretical traditions, employs distinctive methods of analysis, and addresses distinctive subject matter. Sociological political economy particularly emphasizes the social context that frames economic production, resource distribution, and state action, typically a social context deeply marked by structural inequalities of class, ethno-racial identity, gender, and nation. Sociologists examine political-economic dynamics and outcomes that span a range of spatial scales (from the global economy to the local neighborhood), occur in a variety of organizational settings (from multilateral institutions to factory assembly lines), and take place across multiple historical periods (from the earliest stirrings of European colonial expansion to the present moment). Political economy enriched by the sociological perspective also recognizes that social movements, both popular and elite, have contested and changed the order of collective economic and political life.

The sociological study of political economy takes on timely questions of great relevance, questions such as:

• Will countries whose class structure is being transformed by industrialization replicate the political experience of the already developed countries, and why or why not?
• Why has a rising tide of inter-ethnic violence enveloped many states in recent years?
• For what reasons has growth in government spending on social welfare stagnated?
• How has the movement for women’s rights differently reshaped gender relations around the globe?
• What accounts for the vast and widening gap of wealth and income in the world?

The Sociology Faculty in Political Economy and Globalization:

Stephanie Bohon, Associate Professor: Social and applied demography, immigration to emerging gateway places, Latino migration, ethnic economies, and immigrant incorporation/adaptation.
Harry F. Dahms, Associate Professor: Theory, globalization, economic sociology/political economy, social inequalities, entrepreneurship.
Steven P. Dandaneau, Associate Professor: Social theory, political economy, community, critical theory, postmodernism.
R. Scott Frey, Professor and Head: Environmental sociology, development, comparative/historical sociology.
Paul Gellert, Assistant Professor: Environmental sociology, development, comparative/historical sociology, political economy, Asian studies, global studies.
Asafa Jalata, Professor: globalization, race & ethnicity, economic development.
Jon Shefner, Associate Professor: globalization, social movements, development and democratization.

For more information on the Environmental Issues and Globalization concentration:

Contact: Professor Scott Frey at 865/974-6021 or rfrey2@utk.edu

Link: Interdisciplinary Program for Global Studies

For Detailed Information, please contact: mailto:utsoc@utk.edu