Critical Methods in Political and Cultural Economy

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 which the critical methods can be discovered and learned anew. An excellent book and a must for any IPE reading list - Professor Alex Nunn, University of Derby This volume adroitly brings the issue of how we research to the study of critical and cultural political economy. Montgomerie wants to explore what critical and cultural political economists actually do when they conduct research - and, to this end, she brings together an exciting group of scholars. This is a fascinating and highly reccommended read. One that peers inside the minds of those doing political economy research outside of positivist traditions and makes a strong case for why we need to not just acknowledge but also sing the praises of the research methods and methodological approaches that we adopt in our work. - Juanita Elias, Associate Professor in International Political Economy, University of Warwick