Routledge Critical Methods in Political and Cultural Economy (RIPE Series in Global Political Economy)

Critical Methods in Political and Cultural Economy offers students and scholars the first methods book for the critical school of International Political Economy (IPE). What does it mean to ‘do’ critical research? How do we write about the evidence we present? This volume explores our shared critical ethic to demonstrate how methods are transformative and reimagines research strategies as both an embodied practice and a social process. By presenting methodologically informed ways of researching, enriched by real-life accounts from academics doing empirical research, the volume seeks to forge a new collaborative path that builds a critical ethic and modes of inquiry within International Political Economy. Substantive chapters advance the pluralism of the critical school of cultural political economy and seek to articulate its nascent research ethic. Short autobiographical vignettes articulate the professional journeys of contributors who ‘do’ critical political economy. There is practical advice on how to develop evidence from an iterative reflexive research strategy. Using this innovative format offers a guide to methods in critical political economy by engaging directly with the people doing research, not only as technical practice but also as lived experience. The combination of research and practice presented throughout the book offers an extensive and authoritative framework for evaluating how methods are part of critical research and will be essential reading for all students and scholars of IPE. Review Johnna Montgomerie has put together a volume on doing critical research in political economy with the sure touch and instinctive feel that could only be mustered by a person who has repeatedly had to ask themselves the same ‘how-to-do’ questions. It will prove to be an indispensable guide for anyone involved in this particular endeavour, whatever their career stage or years in the profession. The insights that are shared by seasoned political economists work wonderfully well to place the researcher right at the heart of their research, breaking down the barriers that arise when other scholars try to hide themselves in their allegiance to supposedly objective methods. This is therefore not only a glimpse of how to do critical research in political economy; it is also critical research in action. I recommend this book in the strongest possible terms. - Matthew Watson, Professor of Political Economy and ESRC Professorial Fellow, Department of Politics and International Studies, University of Warwick Critical Methods in Political and Cultural Economy is a pathbreaking volume. Johnna Montgomerie presents a compelling case that critical political economy needs to take methods seriously and to do so in a way that recognises that values and ethical commitment to social change are embodied in the research process. The book initiates a crucial conversation or dialogue by asking critical political economists how they "do" their research.Their answers, and Montgomerie’s reflections on them contribute to developing critical methods that are throughly integrated with critical approaches and that enhance understanding of reality and the possibility of transforming it. - Professor Stephen McBride, Canada Research Chair in Public Policy and Globalization, Department of Political Science, McMaster University This book manages to provide both an accessible and creative account of critical research methods, providing a novel and much needed exploration of precisely what is ‘critical’ about critical international political economy. It can simultaneously act as an introduction for students and a resource for seasoned researchers to further their reflexive thinking about their own research practice. The author’s iterative exploration of methods and meaning, punctuated by autobiographical and methodological vignettes from researchers about their methodological practice provides a lively and engaging structure, through