This course aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the field of political risk consulting, from its theoretical foundations to practical applications and current global challenges. Specifically, the course seeks to: Critically analyze the main theoretical approaches developed by scholars and practitioners in the field of political and economic risk analysis at the international level. Develop practical skills to identify, assess, and communicate political, security, and financial risks affecting both state and non-state actors across diverse geographic and sectoral contexts. Examine and interpret tools, methodologies, and reports produced by consulting firms, governments, and multilateral organizations in the field of risk analysis. Apply the knowledge acquired to real-world case studies that reflect key contemporary challenges in the political economy of risk, including energy security, geopolitical shifts, and the impact of climate change. Foster critical reflection on the ethical, political, and social implications of risk analysis, with particular attention to how its outcomes affect different actors and sectors unequally. Equip students with the analytical and applied competencies necessary to pursue professional roles in the field of risk consulting, both in the public and private sectors.

Contents and use of country reports elaborated by private and public institutions. Structuring and conceptual framework of country reports: national and international context, actors and agents, strategy and objectives. Measurement and analysis of development and evaluation. Analysis of economic and political institutions and country risk: political institutions, political system, and political risk; security and public order; criminality and personal violence, institutional and police corruption, terrorism, guerrillas, etc.; economic structure, political economy and macroeconomic risks; banking and financial structure, monetary policy; financial and exchange risk. Social and demographic variables and their incidence on political and economic stability. International interactions, development, conflicts and crisis. Writing a country report.

Lectures: In the lectures we will discuss the readings and the critical evidence needed to test the main theories. Reduced lectures: Each week we will have presentations, debates based on the readings and discussions of the essays. Students will have to participate actively in class.