Debates in International Politics

This course critically examines arguments, analytical frameworks, and potential solutions for major controversies in international politics. What are the sources of state failure? How is the global system of states evolving? What should countries do to solve global warming? Should economic distributive justice only exist within nation states or should it apply globally? Students confront these and a wide range of other key economic, security, and global controversies. The first part of the course critically examines the structure and actors of the international system. It also explores the challenges of nationalism, state evolution, partially independent territories, and global governance. The course then investigates questions of international cooperation regarding nuclear weapons, international injustice, environmental degradation, and military intervention.