Paths to International Political Economy

Born In Lincolnton, North Carolina, in 1837, Stephen Dodson Ramseur rose meteorically through the military ranks. Graduating from West Point in 1860, he joined the Confederate army as a captain. By the time of his death near the end of the war at the Battle of Cedar Creek, he had attained the rank of major general in the Army of Northern Virginia. He excelled in every assignment and was involved as a senior officer in many of the war's most important conflicts east of the Appalachians.

Ramseur's letters---over 180 of which are collected and transcribed here by George G. Kundahl---provide his incisive observations on these military events. As a brigade commander, Ramseur took part in Stonewall Jackson's flanking maneuver at Chancellorsville, saw action on the first day at Gettysburg, and fought valiantly at Spotsylvania Court House. He then served as a division commander during Jubal Early's Valley campaign, after accompanying Early on his raid through Maryland to Washington, D.C.

The letters also offer rare insight into the personal opinions of a high-ranking Civil War officer. Correspondence by Civil War figures is often strictly professional.

But in personal letters to his wife, Nellie, and best friend, David Schenk, Ramseur candidly expresses beliefs about the social, military, and political issues of the day. He also shares vivid accounts of battle and daily camp life, providing colorful details of soldiering during the war.

A retired senior government executive arid army major general, GEORGE A. KUNDAHL, is an independent scholar living in Virginia and France. He is author of Alexandria Goes to War: Beyond Robert E. Lee and Confederate Engineer: Training and Campaigning with John Morris Wampler.

The problems of a troubled world economy and the essentially political issues of how it should be managed make up the stuff of international political economy. The overwhelming importance of these questions has drawn ever increasing numbers of students and teachers in universities, colleges and schools to study the subject. There are many paths into international political economy for them to follow and this volume, originally published in 1984, discusses most of them.

The collection as a whole demonstrates that the field should be seen as the exclusive preserve of neither the economists nor the political scientists. On the contrary, there is much to learn from specialists - and practical people in government and business - with a variety of backgrounds. A rich selection is therefore offered, including history, population studies, money, trade, technology and law, from which the reader can pick and choose at will. The contributions point to the landmarks of the subject and provide useful tips on the best books to read and the most interesting ideas to look out for.

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