Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Objectives
zintroduction to several theoretical approaches to the study of IR
zexamination of contemporary relevance of different theoretical schools of IR
zunderstanding of the nature of “theory” in world politics
zdiscussion over the realist, neorealist, pluralist schools of thought
zcurrent developments in IR theories and traditions
Prerequisites
zReading as soon as possible an International Relations introductory book – Goldstein’s
“International Relations” recommended
zFamiliarization with the theoretical language and terms like: theory, approach,
paradigm
zEagerness to read, willingness to critique, strength to analyze
zEnglish language acquisition
zPublic presentation skills
zActive listening skills
THIRO5 Requirements
zEffective participation in all classes
zPre-class reading of all the assigned readings (about 30 pages per day in a six day
week)
zSerious preparation for the written assignments
zIndividual contribution to each topic discussed
zRelevant participation in group activities
THIR05 Assessment
zAttendance and effective participation – 25% of the final grade
zWritten final examination (in class) – 45% of the final grade
zFinal essay – 30% of the final grade
THIR 05
Group Presentation Sectioning
zYour name & email address
zSpecific Interest related to IR and European Studies
zSpecific day and time during the week (Monday to Friday) when you
zCan meet with the group (G)
zCan meet with the instructor (I)
zCan participate in outdoor activities (A)
zWe will spend the last part of the meeting today dividing you into sections
THIR 05 Readings
zThis is a reading-intensive course. It is essential to do all the reading.
zEach reading is assigned to a discussion section.
zEach discussion section prepares and delivers a group presentation.
zPlease see the distributed materials for the format and ways of presenting
zThe purpose of the presentation will be to facilitate the process of lecture delivery and to
help each other in understanding the readings
zThe better the presentations the easier to successfully complete the final requirements
THIR O5 Readings
This is the list of the readings for this course:
zClassic Readings of International Relations – Williams, Goldstein, Shafritz – Harcourt
Brace College Publishers, 1999 (2nd edition)
zEXTRA / EXTRA a reading packet available in the library designed by Prof. Cathy
Crause of the Graduate Institute of International Studies of the Université de Genevè
related to each other in a meaningful, intelligent pattern, instead of merely random items
in an incoherent universe – ask students about what they think the phenomena to
study in IR is?
a theory is a general explanation of certain selected phenomena, set forth in a manner
satisfactory to someone acquainted with the characteristics of the reality being studied –
that is why we will be limited to realist approaches in IR.
Philosophy of Science – a symbolic construction, a series of interrelated hypotheses,
together with definitions, laws, theorems, and axioms. A theory sets forth a systematic
view of phenomena by presenting a series of propositions or hypotheses that specify
relations among variables in order to present explanations and make predictions about the
phenomena.
IN the field of IR theory is more diffuse and less precise and may assume several
different forms. Theory has been equated with a philosophy, an ideology, a set of
interrelated concepts, a set of interrelated hypotheses with a requisite amount of
supporting evidence, and a set of axioms and concepts from which hypotheses may
be derived.
International Relations Defined
Nicholas J. Spykman among the first with a rigorous definition, used the term
interstate relations. International relations were relations between individuals
belonging to different states, international behavior is the social behavior of
individuals and groups aimed at and influenced by the existence or behavior of
individuals or groups belonging to a different state.
IR Theory Defined
Daugherty and Pflatzgraff Jr. define IR as the effort of one state, or other
•How does state fit into the Int’l system; interdependence vs. independence of state
War and Peace – what conditions enhance peace/ lead to war
(i.e. their own state)? Other states? How realistic are these perceptions?
Morality and Power – Is morality just a cloak for goals of achieving or maintaining
power?
Systemic Change – what causes fundamental restructuring of the international system
environment
IR Actors
Individuals
Subnational groups
Nation-States
Transnational Groups and Organizations Not Made Up of States
International Groups and Organizations with States or Their Representative Members
The International System
Politics, Economics, and Interdependence
•to demonstrate that the necessary may be avoided and that the impossible may be
actualized – negative research
•Based on traditional epistemology – emphasis on ambiguity, uncertainty and the
ceaseless questioning of identity” with the objective of interrogating limits to explore
how they are imposed and demonstrate their arbitrariness and to think other-wise
The Case for Theories of IR
Every decision maker relies on theoretical notions
Bad theories lead to bad decisions
Modern social science offers tools to help distinguish bad theories from good ones
Development of IR THEORY
According to Quincy Wright “a general theory of international relations means a
expressed in generalized propositions that are as clear, as accurate and as few as possible
Every part of the theory should be logically consistent with every other part – and
•Assumes rationality, force, capabilities to use force and power – balance of power
Psycho-cultural approach
•Analyze the formulation and execution of foreign policy – the Laundry List of factors
System approach
Simulation and Game Theory – predicts bargaining outcomes (0-sum/ non 0 sum games