Monarch Switzerland Introduces the PhD in Economics and PhD in International Relations
Dr. Madarasz - Director of the Monarch Global Research Institute
Monarch Switzerland is pleased to announce the introduction of two advanced doctoral pathways—the PhD in Economics and the PhD in International Relations Theory. These programs represent an expansion of Monarch’s research portfolio and reinforce the institution’s mission of cultivating thoughtful, independent scholars grounded in the European academic tradition. Both programs are delivered under the academic direction of Dr. Norman Madarasz, Director of the Monarch Global Research Institute ensuring that the program s reflect European National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) levels for advanced research degrees. Each program is designed as a complete doctoral pathway that includes the Master-in-Passing (M.Phil.).
Both the PhD in Economics and the PhD in International Relations Theory invite candidates to engage with ideas at a level that reshapes how we understand society, governance, and human decision-making. These programs are built for scholars who feel compelled to move beyond surface-level analysis and instead pursue the deeper intellectual traditions that inform meaningful research. For those who are ready to question assumptions, explore the origins of thought, and contribute insights that resonate across disciplines, these doctorates offer a rare opportunity. We welcome candidates who aspire not only to master complex concepts, but also to apply them with integrity, independence, and a sense of responsibility toward the world they seek to influence.
PhD in Economics
The PhD in Economics is devoted to the study of economic theory, intellectual history, and the lived experience of economic life. Reflecting Monarch’s interpretive and human-centered orientation, the program encourages candidates to explore the philosophical foundations of economic reasoning, the evolution of economic systems, and the practical implications of economic behavior within societies and institutions. Candidates engage with diverse traditions of economic thought: from classical and institutional economics to modern conceptual models, while cultivating the analytical and interpretive skills needed to evaluate economic meaning within historical and contemporary contexts. The program supports research that bridges conceptual understanding with applied insight, preparing candidates to contribute to economic scholarship, policy reflection, and responsible decision-making.
PhD in Insternational Relations Theory
The PhD in International Relations Theory offers a conceptual and interpretive approach to understanding global affairs. Candidates examine the intellectual traditions that have shaped international relations—including realism, liberalism, constructivism, the English School, critical theory, and postcolonial perspectives—while analyzing diplomacy, security, governance, and socio-political change as lived and meaning-rich phenomena. The program encourages deep reflection on the philosophical roots of global interaction, the evolution of modern international systems, and the ethical dimensions of global leadership. By engaging with historical sources, philosophical texts, policy archives, and interpretive research approaches, candidates develop scholarly insight that is relevant to practitioners, diplomats, analysts, and academic researchers.
Both doctoral pathways emphasize academic independence, methodological sophistication, and the interpretive depth required for advanced scholarship. As candidates progress, they integrate theoretical foundations, research skill development, and conceptual analysis into the production of an original doctoral manuscript. The launch of the PhD in Economics and PhD in International Relations Theory strengthens Monarch Switzerland’s role as a global center for research in the social sciences. These programs offer meaningful pathways for candidates seeking to contribute original insights to economic, political, and international discourse while embodying Monarch’s commitment to ethical inquiry, intellectual independence, and responsible scholarship.