The fall of Communism in 33 countries around the world and the end of the Cold War ushered in a sequence of startling changes in global politics and economics, the importance of which could only be paralleled by the events that followed the end of the Second World War. Globalisation has moved from the realm of economic hypotheses to a practice exercised world-wide. In the past 20 years new economi
c powers have emerged to challenge the political order of the capitalist incumbents. The expectations and the practices of free unregulated markets came into conflict with socio-political institutions at the level of both national and supra-national arrangements, which sparked a drift towards rising nationalism and etatism. As the world became highly integrated, the life of individuals, as well as the organisation of enterprises, institutions, municipalities, regions or nations depend now much more on the evolution of the world affairs. Such a new quality of interdependence between economic, political and social actors in the world places new demands on both its understanding and its decision-making. Worldwide demand for expertise in the management of public affairs, prudent political leadership, analysis of individual and collective decisions and for effective and legitimate public policies has received an unprecedented spur in the last decade. This IEPS Programme aims to offer new perspectives in the study of inter-related economic and political processes by providing access to knowledge and skills at a level compatible with prestigious universities in Europe and America. studies known as PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics) or IPE (International Politics and Economics) - see Externí odkaz http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy,_politics,_and_economics. Their popularity was earned not only due to the prestige of universities offering such a wide programme but also due to the success of its graduates on labour markets all over the world. International Economic and Political Studies is a two-year English-language Master's degree programme fully accredited by the Czech Ministry of Education, which seeks to investigate contemporary political, economic and social issues from a multidisciplinary perspective. Although the predominant emphasis in the IEPS Programme is on the fields of economics and political science, students will also be expected to explore their historical, legal and sociological aspects. This is a unique programme of study in terms of both its content and methods. Students are expected to master the principles of modern non-conventional economic thinking and be able to apply it in political decision-making at the level of supra-national institutions, states, regional governments, corporations and political parties. Through the core courses, students will gain the theoretical knowledge, methodological tools and historical background required to engage in a deeper analysis of the world they live in, while their elective courses will allow them to develop their own specialisation, which will bring them closer to their intended career – whether it be in politics, international organisations, public administration, academia, business, local or multinational enterprises, NGOs, media or financial services. Students in the IEPS Programme will be able to take advantage of a wide selection of international academic exchange programmes arranged with renowned universities in the EU, the United States, Australia and Asia.
