POLSC 14: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

SPRING 2008

MW 11:20A–12:45P

FIR 3

Ted Hamilton

Office: 217 Tamarack Hall

Email: hamiltont@yosemite.edu

CENTRAL THEMES, CONCEPTS, AND PROCESSES

THEMES	CONCEPTS	PROCESSES
Scientific Method	Political Science as a Social Science	Theories, Methods, Empirical Evidence
Global Inequality and Global Welfare	Population, Resources, Environment; Depletion vs. Sustainability	Power, Capitalism, Institutions, and Culture
Political Organization	Political Ideologies and Implications; Globalization	Democracy: Costs & Benefits / Challenges & Opportunities
Violence and Peace	Conflict, Military Technologies, Cooperation, Interdependence, Sustainability	Engaging in and Resolving Conflict in 21^st Century Conditions
Trends and Transformations	Unprecedented Challenges and Opportunities	Structure and Agency

GRAPHIC PRESENTATION REQUIREMENTS

FROM WAR TO PEACE?

· 1^ST Presentation: War and Peace in the Classical European State System (Parts I and II) (50 Points) Due February 6^th

· 2^ND Presentation: WWI and WWII (Part III) (50 Points) Due March 13^th

· Final Presentation: End of Cold War to Paths of Peace (Parts IV and V) (100 points) Due April 21^st, by 1:00 PM

For each exam, provide a Graphic Presentation of the following:

1. The dominant theory of war and peace revealed in each case study;

2. The most persuasive interpretation of the peace settlement;

3. The most significant and relevant “lessons” to be learned from each case.

Be sure to emphasize the concepts of Just War and Just Peace.

FIRST EXAM (100 Points)

TRENDS, TRANSFORMATIONS, ACTORS AND THEIR RELATIONS

1. While the formal study of international relations is relatively recent, most theories have been constructed based upon specific historical contexts. Select three “useful theories” and critically evaluate the most significant historical contextual factors that are responsible for the creation and subsequent reinforcement of each theory. List, in rank order, the most significant conditions that have changed which now make each theory more or less useful.

2. Is a global human society “characterized by islands of wealth surrounded by a sea of poverty” sustainable? Identify the most significant “problems of order” which this situation presents to the South and the North, respectively. Map and graph these problems and project the most probable consequences of each.

3. Figure 6.1, Kegley and Wittkopf, page 170, suggests that a great many changes have occurred since 1956. Interpret both graphs and provide at least three reasonable causal relationships and at least three trend projections. Be sure to address autonomy and anarchy throughout.

4. Hegemonic stability theory requires rather critical responsibilities and promises seductive benefits for hegemons and partners alike. Graphically demonstrate the key assumptions, essential definitions, responsibilities, and benefits central to this theory. Does this theory accurately describe the contemporary world?

5. Why should “democratic citizens” be more fully engaged in the formal study of international relations? Assess the costs and benefits of full engagement and contrast these with the costs and benefits of the average Americans’ engagement today.

Rules and Guidelines

n Use the ‘Ten Criteria.’

n Graphic presentations accompanying responses are strongly RECOMMENDED.

n Essay breakdown should approximate one-third each of the following: reading/class dialogue/original thinking (which does not mean opinion).

n Students must have notes and text books approved by instructor before outlines are due for each exam.

Practice ‘Learned Resourcefulness.’ Avoid procrastination, develop appropriate help-seeking behaviors, ask questions, learn to recognize & utilize resources (e.g. the library, fellow students, the instructor, tutoring, study groups, etc.) embrace realistic goals and priorities.

SECOND EXAM (100 points)

THE POLITICS OF GLOBAL WELFARE

1. Describe and demonstrate the most useful terms that are essential to understanding Global Welfare. Be sure to include the following at a minimum: A) human and global prosperity, B) the quality of life, C) the degree of liberty, and D) the expectation of personal security.

2. The 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights reflects a consensus “…that people are important, that they have worth, and that therefore ethics and morality belong in the study of international relations.” Trace the evolution of human rights’ definitions, legal institutions, and successful implementations. List and evaluate the most significant trends today.

3. Concepts such as “integration”, “interdependence”, “free trade”, and “global technologies” carry many positive connotations for most modern societies. Present a useful lexicon of the most significant terms that describe contemporary globalization and graph the costs and benefits of globalization for the U.S. and at least three other significant societies.

4. George W. Bush, U.S. President, 2001 contents that “…Trade no only helps spread prosperity but trade helps spread freedom.” Critically evaluate this statement in light of the underlying assumptions, theory, and current weight of evidence. Is there a viable alternative to the current international political economy? If so, contrast the two.

5. Individualism and capitalism appear to be the most powerful co-conspirators with population growth rates to produce the following: “Ruin is the destination toward which all men rush, each pursuing his own best interest.” Describe and demonstrate the most significant ideological and institutional forces responsible for the current conditions of population pressure, resource depletion, and environmental conflict.

Rules and Guidelines

n Use the ‘Ten Criteria.’

n Graphic presentations accompanying responses are strongly RECOMMENDED.

n Essay breakdown should approximate one-third each of the following: reading/class dialogue/original thinking (which does not mean opinion).

n Students must have notes and text books approved by instructor before outlines are due for each exam.

FINAL EXAM (200 Points)

MILITARY CONFLICT, CONTROLS, AND THE 21^ST CENTURY

1. Trace the phenomena of “lag” as it applies to the creation and use of military technologies and the persistence of ideas and institutions of militaries. For each of the most significant demonstrations of “lag”, be sure to assess the degree of responsibility of the “actors” involved.

2. The “Liberal Path to International Security” employs key concepts such as “cooperation”, “interdependence”, “principled moral behavior”, and “law”. Adding other significant concepts to these four, create a lexicon of critical security-based imperatives. For each, demonstrate at least one practical application as a refutation of neo-realism.

3. “Preemption”, “preventive diplomacy”, and “military intervention” have had long and controversial histories. Trace the application of each and critically evaluate the positive and negative outcomes in terms of security, power, and moral consistency. Has there ever been a “just war”?

4. Table 13.1, Kegley and Wittkopf, page 500, presents the assumptions and policy recommendations for states embracing a “Realist Road to Security”. Is this “realistic”, “reasonable”, and/or “guaranteed to perpetuate the mistakes of ancestors”? Critically evaluate the most significant assumptions (premises) and policies in historical context of “what might have been tried”.

5. Why has the “paradox…of a world liberated from the paralyzing grip of the Cold War” failed to move American leadership? Describe and demonstrate how the unprecedented opportunities before the United States today have produced an intellectual retreat to contradictory realistic liberalism. Which set of assumptions best describe our behavior in the world since 2000?

Rules and Guidelines

n Use the ‘Ten Criteria.’

n Graphic presentations accompanying responses are strongly RECOMMENDED.

n Essay breakdown should approximate one-third each of the following: reading/class dialogue/original thinking (which does not mean opinion).

n Students must have notes and text books approved by instructor before outlines are due for each exam.