Course Description:

We focus on two important topics as a means to ask how various theoretical perspectives provide distinct understandings of the structure and practices of international relations. The first topic is the problem of ensuring security for all people from organized violence (in the form of war, terrorism, etc.). The second concerns the prospect for creating a globally stable and sustainable world economy, in which all of humanity, including future generations, can expect to prosper. We will consider three theoretical perspectives for analyzing those topics: political realism, liberalism, and critical constructivism.

The principal objective is to develop an appreciation of the ways in which perspectives lead to different analyses. We will learn how each theoretical perspective generates its own view of international relations, in terms of providing a distinct understanding of the structure and practices of human security and prosperity. Each shares the assumption that the many and varied interactions among states and non-state actors in the global arena are vital elements of our world. However, in interpreting these many and varied forms of global politics, each of the perspectives offers not only a distinct understanding of what international relations consist of, but also distinct guidance about what international political activity should be. Therefore, this course will explore how each perspective explains events that occur in the arena of global politics, and also explores how adherents of each perspective think international actors should act in this arena. That is, we will explore both the explanatory insights and the normative political implications of each perspective. Through the highlighting of such theoretical differences, the course is intended to provide the means for students to develop their own theoretically informed analyses of issues in contemporary international relations, such as what the important consequences of the European Union are, or what the emerging security issues in Asia might be.

It is recommended that this course be taken prior to coursework at the 4xxx-or 5xxx-level in the field of international relations. Students in this course should have some familiarity with the subject matter of world politics, such as is provided in Political Science 1025.

Course Objectives:

At the completion of this course, you should be able to:

Demonstrate the ability to employ several influential theoretical perspectives to analyze current situations in international relations;

Recognize the use of these perspectives in everyday speech, journalism, and academic writing;

Identify important normative political implications at work within different perspectives as those perspectives are used to analyze and/or to guide policy with respect to situations in international relations;

Evaluate the relative explanatory success of the perspectives within the context of real situations and events in international relations.

Course Requirements:

You are expected to complete all of the assigned readings listed on the syllabus prior to the class session for which they are scheduled. Lectures and discussions will not duplicate, but instead will build on, and hence will assume prior familiarity with, assigned readings. Your active participation in discussion and class activities is expected.

Written assignments include three short thought papers, which call for you to apply the theoretical perspectives of course readings in analysis of specific assigned topics in international relations. The paper assignments will be distributed in class on Fridays (February 11, March 17, and April 28). Each paper will be due ten days (or ten days plus Spring Break) after the assignment is distributed (so, due dates are Mondays, February 21, April 3, and May 8). Late papers will be penalized. [Note that the third paper is due during exam week.]

A second type of writing that you are required to submit is a journal of your analytic reflections on an on-going issue of your choice in international relations. You are to select a contemporary issue from the list attached to this syllabus, and to develop a degree of expertise on that issue. Then, you are to pose focussed and clearly formulated analytical questions about the issue - why and how things are occurring as they are. Your journal is to record your thoughts about how to answer that analytical question in light of the required readings. Five installments of the journal are due periodically throughout the semester as indicated on the course calendar below. (More detailed instructions for the journal will be distributed in class.)

Third, you will write a final exam. It will consist of essay questions in which you are asked to compare and contrast the theoretical perspectives discussed in this course. A study guide will be provided for the final exam, which is scheduled for Saturday, May 13, 1:30-3:30.

Finally, you will be asked to complete in-class writing assignments ("five-minute papers"). These "quizzes" are meant to provide feedback on how well you understand key concepts from assigned readings. Five quizzes are scheduled during the semester.

Grades:

Grades will be calculated on the following basis: the three assigned analytical papers are 20% each, for a total of 60%; the journal is 20% (4% for each of five installments); the 'quizzes' are 10% (five each at 2%); and the final exam is 10%. In order to earn a passing grade, you must submit all three analytical papers and the final exam, plus at least three journal installments and at least three quizzes. Incompletes will be granted only in exceptional circumstances, and only with my prior and explicit approval.

Other Comments:

I strongly encourage you to visit Giunia, Dean, Shannon or me during office hours. Visits enable us to gauge how well the course is going and whether our expectations are clear to you. They also enable you to explore specific issues in greater depth. Please use office hours as a resource to help improve your work over the course of the term.

If you have disabilities, special learning needs, or problems that emerge from work commitments, family commitments, or medical emergencies, please let me know what I can do to accommodate you. This syllabus is available in alternative formats upon request.

Course Readings:

All of the assigned readings for the course can be obtained at the H.D. Smith West Bank Bookstore for $96.45 (used) or $126.65 (new). Assigned readings are from five books and one article:

1. Richard K. Betts, ed., Conflict After the Cold War: Arguments on Causes of War and Peace. Allyn and Bacon, 1994.

2. David Campbell, Writing Security: United States Foreign Policy and the Politics of Identity, Revised Edition. University of Minnesota Press, 1998.

3. Amitav Ghosh, In an Antique Land: History in the Guise of a Traveler's Tale. Vintage Books, 1992.

4. William Greider, One World, Ready or Not: The Manic Logic of Global Capitalism. Simon and Schuster, 1997.

5. Kenneth N. Waltz, Man, the State and War: A Theoretical Analysis. Columbia University Press, 1954.

and,

6. Andrew Moravcsik, "Taking Preferences Seriously: A Liberal Theory of International Politics," International Organization, 51(4), Autumn, 1997: 513-553. (This article is available in the course packet room of the West Bank Bookstore.)

CLASS SCHEDULE

January 19 (W) Course overview and introduction - objectives, expectations, and requirements.

January 21 (F) The importance of theoretical perspectives in the analysis of

and international relations.

January 24 (M)

Read: Betts, pp. 1-4 (Introduction: Does War Have a Future?)

Waltz, chapter I, (Introduction), pp. 1-15.

Political Realist Theory: power politics, national interest, and threats to security in anarchy

January 26 (W) Foundations of (classical) political realism in a pessimistic view of human nature.

Read: Waltz, chapter II, pp. 16-41.

January 28 (F) Harmony of interests -- No! Conflicts of interest -- inevitable.

Read: Betts, pp. 72-77 (part of Edward Hallett Carr, 'Realism and

Idealism' to "Military Power")

Betts, pp. 179-187 (Geoffrey Blainey, 'Paradise Is a Bazaar').

January 31 (M) Power politics results from the pursuit of interests in conflict

Read: Betts, pp. 66-71 (Thucydides, 'The Melian Dialogue')

Betts, pp. 77-87 (part of Edward Hallett Carr, 'Realism and

Idealism')

Betts, pp. 445-447 (Edward Hallett Carr, 'The Limitations

of Realism').

February 2 (W) Systemic anarchy as the root of power politics: the neo-realist or structural realist perspective.

Read: Waltz, chapters VI-VIII, pp. 159-238.

February 4 (F) The importance of the distribution of power in the context of anarchy

Read: Betts, pp. 88-95 (Kenneth N. Waltz, 'The Origins of War in

Neorealist Theory')

Betts, pp. 110-123 (Geoffrey Blainey, 'Power, Culprits, and

Arms')

Betts, pp. 96-109 (Robert Gilpin, 'Hegemonic War and

International Change').

February 7 (M) Strategic interaction to alter the distribution of power creates security dilemmas

Read: Betts, pp. 312-343 (Robert Jervis, 'Cooperation Under the Secuity Dilemma', and Scott D. Sagan, '1914 Revisited').

**(Quiz at start of class)**

February 9 (W) Do international limitations on military capabilities affect the distribution of power in beneficial ways?

Read: Betts, pp. 358-382 (Charles H. Fairbanks, Jr. and Abram N.

Shulsky, 'Arms Control: The Historical Experience', and Kenneth N. Waltz, 'The Spread of Nuclear Weapons: More May Be Better').

February 11 (F) Does systemic interdependence reduce the importance of anarchy?

Read: Betts, pp. 221-231 (Kenneth N. Waltz, 'Structural Causes and Economic Effects').

**(First journal installment due, covering readings for

January 26 through February 9)**

**[First paper assignment distributed in class]**

February 14 (M) Realism and the prescription of desirable policy

Read: Betts, pp. 33-43 (Samuel P. Huntington, 'The Errors of

Endism')

Betts, pp. 505-520 (Samuel P. Huntington, 'America's

Changing Strategic Interests')

Betts, pp. 44-61 (John J. Mearsheimer, 'Why We Will

Soon Miss The Cold War').

February 16 (W) Review and discussion session on political realism

Bridging from Political Realism to Liberalism

February 18 (F) Are enduring structures of international security cooperation possible?

Read: Betts, pp. 475-491 (Jack L. Snyder, 'Averting Anarchy in

The New Europe')

Betts, pp. 448-474 (Richard K. Betts, 'Collective Security

and Arms Control in the New Europe')

February 21 (M) Do realists misunderstand international systemic anarchy?

Read: Betts, pp. 157-172 (Richard H. Ullman, 'The Changed

Premises of European Security')

Betts, pp. 136-148 (Hedley Bull, 'Society and Anarchy

in International Relations')

**[First paper due]**

Liberal Theory: interdependence, institutions, and individual interests

February 23 (W) Complex interdependence defines system structure, displacing the central position of anarchy

Read: Betts, pp. 149-156 (Robert O. Keohane and Joseph S. Nye,

'Power and Interdependence').

Betts, pp. 492-504 (Hanns W. Maull, 'Germany and Japan:

The New Civilian Powers').

**(Quiz at start of class)**

February 25 (F) Modern capitalism makes violent struggles for international power irrational

Read: Betts, pp. 176-178 (Norman Angell,'The Great Illusion').

Betts, pp. 196-206 (Joseph Schumpeter, 'Imperialism and

Capitalism').

February 28 (M) The internal structure and organization of states is very important. Different types of states act differently in international relations

Read: Betts, pp. 128-135 (Immanuel Kant, 'Perpetual Peace').

Waltz, chapter IV, pp. 80-123.

**(Second journal installment due, covering readings for

February 11 through February 25)**

March 1 (W) There can be a world of liberal peace

Read: Betts, pp. 263-279 (Michael W. Doyle, 'Liberalism and

World Politics').

March 3 (F) A comprehensive, systemic statement of liberal theory of

March 6 (M) international relations: individual interests, domestic

and institutions, and interdependent state preference

March 8 (W)

Read: Moravscik article (course packet)

**(March 8, Quiz at start of class)**

Critiques of Contemporary Liberal International Relations through Liberal Analytic Lenses

March 10 (F) International relations of environmental change

Read: Betts, pp. 425-441 (Thomas F. Homer-Dixon,

'Environmental Changes as Causes of Acute

Conflict')

March 13 (M) A liberal critique of the contemporary liberal global economy.

March 15 (W) Must a liberal necessarily say that global capitalism is good?

March 17 (F) and

March 20 (M)

Read: Greider, entire book (read approximately 110-120 pages

per class session).

**(March 13, third journal installment due, covering readings for February 28 through March 10)**

**{Second paper assignment distributed in class, Friday,

March 17}**

March 22 (W) Review and discussion session on liberal international relations

theory

A Marxian Flip-Side of Liberalism

March 24 (F) War, imperialism, and the Marxist critique of global capitalism

Read: Betts, pp. 188-195 (V.I. Lenin, 'Imperialism, the Highest

Stage of Capitalism').

Waltz, chapter V, pp. 124-158.

March 25-April 2 Spring Break

Bridging from Liberalism to Critical Constructivism

April 3 (M) Ideas, ideals, and ideologies override power and interests as determinants of action

Read: Betts, pp. 250-262 (Stanley Kober, 'Idealpolitik')

Betts, pp. 5-18 (Francis Fukuyama, 'The End of History')

**[Second paper due]**

April 5 (W) Norms, morality and knowledge can change the conduct of international relation

Read: Betts, pp. 19-32 (John Mueller, 'The Obsolescence of

Major War')

Critical Constructivist Theory: identities, representations, and the productive powers of discourse

April 7 (F) Recognizing the social constructedness of identities

Read: Betts, pp. 280-292 (Ernest Gellner, 'Nations and Nationalism')

**(Quiz at start of class)**

April 10 (M) Producing state identities

Read: Campbell, Preface, Introduction, Chapters 1 and 2, pp.

ix-xi, 1-51.

**(Fourth journal installment due, covering readings for

March 13 through April 7)**

April 12 (W) Foreign policy as productive and performative of identity

Read: Campbell, chapters 3-4, pp. 53-90.

April 14 (F) Identities of the United States of America

Read: Campbell, chapter 5, pp. 91-132

April 17 (M) Securing state identity

Read: Campbell, chapters 6-7, pp. 133-189.

April 19 (W) Critical politics in the analysis of international relations

Read: Campbell, chapter 8 and Epilogue, pp. 191-227.

**(Quiz at start of class)**

April 21 (F) Post-colonial critical constructivism: displacing Euro-centrism,

April 24 (M) decentering the state, and problematizing the project of

April 26 (W) modernity

and

April 28 (F)

Read: Ghosh, entire book (read approximately 110-120 pages

per class session).

**[Third paper assignment distributed in class, Friday,

April 28]**

May 1 (M) Review and discussion session on critical constructivism

**(Fifth journal installment due, covering readings for April 10 through April 28)**

May 3 (W) Comparing and contrasting political realism, liberalism, and

and critical constructivism as perspectives for the analysis of

May 5 (F) international relations

May 8 (M) **[Third paper due]**

(deliver to Political Science Department, 1414 Social Sciences Building, by 12:00 Noon)

May 13 (Sat) Final Exam, 1:30-3:30

Contemporary Issues of International Relations

(Select one to learn about and to focus on in writing your journal.)

I. Issues of security from organized violence

A. The international relations of the means of violence, and efforts to control those means

1. nuclear weapons

2. chemical weapons

3. biological weapons

4. new technologies for weapons and delivery systems

5. small arms (automatic rifles, etc.)

6. land mines

B. The international relations of the conduct of violent hostilities, and efforts to avoid or reduce violence

-- general themes

7. dealing with "war criminals"

8. eliminating rape as a weapon of war

9. assuring rights of indigenous peoples and minority nationalities

10. developing laws of war

-- specific arenas of violent conflict or hostilities

11. Northern Ireland

12. Sri Lanka

13. Chechnya

14. Colombia

15. Sudan

16. Central Africa (Rwanda, Burundi, Congo)

17. Ethiopia - Eritrea

18. North Korea - South Korea

19. Pakistan - India

20. China - Taiwan

21. Israel - Palestine

22. Israel - Syria

23. Turkey - Greece

24. U.S. - Iraq

25. U.S. - Cuba

26. the Balkans (Kosovo, Albania, Macedonia, etc.)

II. Issues of global economic prosperity

C. The international relations of circumventing/managing economic crisis

-- specific cases of concern about possible economic crisis

27. Russia

28. Philippines

29 29. Indonesia

30. Thailand

31. Mexico

32. South Africa

33. Argentina

-- general themes of international economic crisis potential

34. unrecoverable international debt

35. stablizing and managing the global financial system

36. dealing with trade wars

37. the power and authority of international economic organizations, such as the WTO and the IMF

D. The international relations of promoting sustainable development

38. a common European currency

39. expanding the EU

40. strengthening ASEAN

41. technology transfers

42. intellectual property rights

43. biotechnologies

44. control over natural resources

45. destruction of forests

46. depletion of biodiversity

47. deterioration of fisheries

48. large dams

49. water pollution and the degradation of water resources

50. atmospheric pollution

51. global warming

52. health care

53. provision of education and investment in human capital

54. population

55. industrialization

56. agricultural productivity

57. urbanization problems

III. Others

58. Another issue of your choice (define clearly and precisely).