I’ve been writing about international affairs and foreign policy every Thursday, and I’ve decided that I’m going to structure these essays as if they constituted a curriculum on these issues. I’m doing this mostly for myself – as I’ve mentioned before, I write about things I’m interested in and I’m just happy that my readers are along for the ride – but I also think some basic analysis will help us all understand what’s going on in the world around us. I’ve taken this information from a variety of sources, including websites and syllabi from college courses. This is a distillation of what I’ve found. Each week, I’ll include references to current events that illustrate the point of the essay.
I studied both of these topics in grad school a thousand years ago and taught them more recently at the high school level over the years, so I’m basing much of this on my own mid-level (but outdated) knowledge and the introductory-level textbooks and other materials I used along the way.
I’ll start by looking at the broad topic of International Relations, and then move on to the related but generally narrower topic of United States Foreign Policy.
NB: I am not a degree-granting institution.
Broadly speaking, international relations explores the key theories and practices in international relations, examining the complex interactions between nation-states, non-governmental organizations, international institutions, and transnational corporations. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of global political dynamics and the factors influencing international cooperation and conflict.
March 28: Introduction to International Relations
Defining International Relations
Historical Context and Evolution of the International System
Major Theories: Realism, Liberalism, Constructivism
April 4: State Actors and National Interests
The Concept of Sovereignty
National Power and Security
Foreign Policy Decision-Making
April 11: Non-State Actors and Transnational Issues
Role of International Organizations (UN, NATO, EU)
Transnational Corporations and the Global Economy
Non-Governmental Organizations and Civil Society
April 18: International Security
Traditional and Non-Traditional Security Threats
Arms Control and Disarmament
Terrorism and Asymmetric Warfare
April 25: International Political Economy
Trade and Protectionism
International Monetary System
Development and Inequality
May 2: International Law and Human Rights
Principles of International Law
Human Rights and Humanitarian Intervention
War Crimes and International Justice
May 9: Global Governance and Diplomacy
Diplomatic Relations and Negotiations
Global Governance Institutions
Challenges to Effective Global Governance
May 10: Contemporary Issues in International Relations
Climate Change and Environmental Politics
Migration and Refugees
Cybersecurity and Information Warfare
May 17: Regional Studies in International Relations
Focus on specific regions (e.g., Middle East, Asia-Pacific)
Regional Conflicts and Cooperation
Impact of Regional Dynamics on Global Politics
May 24: Future of International Relations
Emerging Powers and the Changing Balance of Power
Globalization and Its Discontents
Prospects for Peace and Global Cooperation
After this deep dive into the general theory and practice of international relations, I’ll dig into American Foreign Policy, which occurs within the context of a broader international context.
Although it is important to understand how American Foreign Policy has evolved over the years, I plan to focus on the post-World War II years. This will be complicated enough. Through these essays, I’ll explore the theoretical underpinnings, institutional actors, decision-making processes, and key case studies that have shaped the United States’ role in the world.
May 30: Foundations of American Foreign Policy
Historical Overview and Theoretical Frameworks
The Constitution and Foreign Policy Powers
The Monroe Doctrine and Manifest Destiny
June 6: The Foreign Policy Apparatus
The President and the Executive Branch
Congress’s Role in Foreign Policy
The State Department and Diplomacy
June 13: Instruments of Foreign Policy
Military Power and Defense Policy
Economic Statecraft: Sanctions and Aid
Soft Power and Cultural Diplomacy
June 20: Cold War and Its Aftermath
Containment and Détente
The End of the Cold War and Unipolarity
The Post-Cold War Security Environment
June 27: War on Terror and the Middle East
The 9/11 Attacks and the Global War on Terror
The Iraq War and its Consequences
The Arab Spring and U.S. Response
July 4: Great Power Politics
Relations with Russia and China
NATO Expansion and European Security
The Pivot to Asia and the South China Sea
July 11: International Trade and Globalization
NAFTA and the WTO
The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)
Trade Wars and Protectionism
July 18: Human Rights and Humanitarian Intervention
The Responsibility to Protect (R2P)
Human Rights as Foreign Policy
Case Studies: Rwanda, Kosovo, Libya
July 25: Environmental Policy and Climate Change
The Paris Agreement and International Cooperation
Energy Security and Foreign Policy
Climate Change as a Security Threat
August 1: American Foreign Policy in the 21st Century
The Rise of Populism and its Impact on Foreign Policy
Cybersecurity and Information Warfare
Future Challenges and Directions
There will be a quiz.
This series sounds great Karen! Looking forward to reading your pieces.
Ha…there will be a quiz!!!
Where.Do.You.Find.The.Time!?!