November Blogs

Dear class:

Thanks for submitting your blogs for October!

You are required to write three (3) blogs in November. I posted three new topics below which relate to what we've been discussing in class. If you have a particular topic which you would like to post, don't hesitate to e-mail Nick or me and we will post it for you. Remember that any idea you would like to discuss should tackle international and foreign policy events.

Since the new topics for November were posted on November 6, we will be extending the deadline for submitting the 3 new blogs to December 6. Therefore, you will have an entire month to post your blogs. Blogs which are submitted after December 6 will not be counted. Make sure you write and post your blogs throughout the month!

Let us know if you have any question or concern and have fun blogging!

Sara and Nick

The post-WWII Bretton Woods System of Economic Order

Are the various financial institutions that were created after the end of WWII (such as the World Bank, the IMF, the GATT and subsequently the WTO) a manifestation of American hegemony and economic colonialism? What are the benefits of such institutions? Do those benefits outweigh the idea that international financial institutions are nothing but mere tools in the hands of Great Powers to dominate the less-priviliged ones? Discuss.

Constructivism and IR Theory

Based on what we've been discussing in class about social constructivism, how does this approach to International Relations weaken Realism and Liberalism? How far can it explain what is happening on the world stage? Is it a better approach to IR and international soceities than Realism and Liberalism? Discuss.

Political Islam

We will be devoting three class sessions to the study of Political Islam, radical Islamist parties, movements, and ideologies, and Islamic terrorism in the Middle East. Feel free to post what your thoughts are on these topics and what you think are important questions which should be addressed. How should the US and the West in general tackle the rise of Islamist movements and parties? How should it conduct its war on terror? This topic is purposefully vague enough to allow for different ideas and opinions to be debated.

New October Blogs

Dear class,

Thanks for getting your blogs in for September! For those of you who submitted their last blogs on October 1st, I'm sorry to say that those were not counted and will not be counted for October either. I only accepted the late blog posts of the people who contacted Nick and I prior to the deadline. My advice to you would be to get the blogs done throughout the month and not at the last minute, to ensure that all your entries be counted.

As far as October is concerned, you will have to submit 3 blogs. I posted 4 new topics below which you might want to start discussing soon. The topics are broad enough to allow for debate. We will also be adding new topics as the month goes on. Please feel free to e-mail me with any idea you might have about a new post. Your idea should tackle current international and foreign policy event. Topics about domestic politics will not be posted.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to e-mail Nick and I! Have a good October and blog away!

Sara

International Societies

So far, we've discussed many instances (or lack thereof) of international societies. Can you give instances from the past and the present of where we can find international societies? Can you predict the formation of any international society in the future? Blog away!

Iran and Israel: An Instance of Security Dilemma?

Security dilemmas are related to military operations, arms races, and to a Realist conception of International Relations. Given Iran's desire to possess nuclear weapons and Israel's blatant opposition to it, how do you think this will affect politics in the Middle East? Do you think Iran should have nuclear weapons? Do you think Israel has a legitimate right to stop Iran from acquiring those weapons? This is a broad topic that can encompass many ideas so feel free to tackle the issue from any side you deem is interesting.

Humanitarian Intervention and Sovereignty

Do you think that intervening in a country for humanitarian purposes is an infringement on sovereignty? If so, how does it affect sovereignty? Should humanitarian interventions be carried out regardless of its negative effects on the sovereignty of the state in question? Blog away!

The European Union: Balancing the US?

Keeping in line with what we know of Balance of Power politics, do you think that the EU can one day grow as strong as to counter the US and establish a Balance of Power in the international system?

Ahmadinejad at Columbia University

Here's the link to an article about Iran's President Ahmadinejad speech he delivered at Columbia University on Monday, September 24th.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/09/24/us.iran/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

Do you think Ahmadinejad should have been denied the opportunity to address students at a prestigious American institution? Do you think it was a good idea to have him here? What do you think about the content of his speech?

Realism and US Foreign Policy

To what extent does the Realist approach drive American foreign policy in the world today? Would it be fair to say that the Bush administration is solely geared by self-interested goals of security? What do you think?

China

Someone suggested that we add a topic about China and its position in the world today as a rising power. Blog away!

Globalization

Someone from class suggested that we add a topic on globalization and the movement towards (or away from) homogenization. Blog away...
-ng-

The war in Iraq

Don't hesitate to post articles and links that you come across regarding the war in Iraq. Make sure to summarize and discuss the article/link that you find. You should also debate other students' ideas and comments.

Commemorating 9/11

Should we keep on commemorating 9/11?

Security Dilemmas

The security dilemma is a recurrent topic in IR. The readings and class lectures , as well as current events, will hint to many instances where security dilemmas occur. Post your thoughts on when you think they do!

Eurocentrism and its Critics

An interesting dicussion has been taking place about Marks' opinion not to adopt a Eurocentric view of history and IR. What are your thought on the matter?

New Blog Instructions

Class,

After shuffling through some ideas about the blog, Nick and I decided to change a few things that will make it easier for you to keep track of topics and comments.

As of this week, we will keep track of the ideas and comments you make and will be posting new topics that reflect these ideas and comments. This will make it easier for others to see what the discussion is about and to respond much quicker.

For example, some people are currently debating the Eurocentrism idea of Marks' book. To make it easier for you to follow up on it and to reduce the confusion and the long scrolling down, we will create a post that is dedicated to this topic. This way, you can directly click on it and voice your opinion there. We will be doing this for all the topics that will be raised throughout the semester.

Also, if you have a topic that you would like us to post, e-mail us about it and we will instantly create the topic for you. You will then be able to comment on it and other people will do as well.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us or see us after class on Friday!

Best,
Sara

Comments on the class

This is the place where you can post any question or comment about the class that you may have. We will answer your concerns through this blog so make sure you check it periodically.

Comments on readings & lectures

You can use this space to ask questions or make comments about class lectures and assigned readings.

Current events

This is where you can post comments, thoughts, articles, and links for any international or US foreign policy related event.

Miscellaneous

Feel free to post anything we forgot here!