ABSTRACT
Economic interdependence accelerated after World War II. Thanks to the cessation of hostilities, the creation of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in 1945, and of the liberal General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade in 1947, trade outside the Soviet bloc expanded along with transnational investments. International politics became more complicated too. States enjoyed new opportunities, but also faced new challenges. Important issue areas multiplied, and the concept of security itself expanded. No longer could “high politics” be reserved solely for matters of military security. With greater interdependence, economic security issues began moving into this realm, and sometimes intruded in dramatic, urgent fashion.
