77976 - Evolution of The international System

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to provide an advanced knowledge and understanding of the evolution of the international system since the modern era and of the main theories of international relations (constructivism, liberalism, realism). At the end of the course, the student knows the main events which have shaped international politics, the most important theoretical interpretations and the debates within the discipline, as well as the analytical instruments necessary to interpret the contemporary international system.

Course contents

The course is divided into three parts. The first one will concentrate on the historical evolution of the international system since 1500. The second one will systematically analyze the main theoretical interpretations on the evolution and functioning of international systems, with particular reference to security. The third will take into account contemporary developments at the global level.

Readings/Bibliography

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Non attending students are also expected to read F. Andreatta (2015) Great Works in International Relations, Il Mulino. Le grandi opere delle relazioni internazionali, 2011.

For the first part of the course:
Kennedy P. (1987) The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers, New York: Random House
For the second part:
1. General explanations
Snyder, J. (2004) «One World, Rival Theories», Foreign Policy, 145, pp. 52-62.
Jervis, R. (2002) «Theories of War in an Era of Leading-Power Peace», American Political Science Review,  96 (1), pp. 1-14.
Bowles, S. (2008) «Conflict: Altruism Midwife», Nature, (456), pp. 326-327.
Levy, J. S. e Thompson, W. R. (2010) Causes of War, Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.
Pinker, S. (2011) The better angels of our nature. Why violence has declined, New York, Viking.
2. Realist explanations
Gilpin, R. (1988) «The Theory of Hegemonic War» Journal of Interdisciplinary History, 18 (4), pp. 591-613.
Waltz, K. (1988) «The Origins of War in Neorealist Theory», Journal of Interdisciplinary History, 18 (4) pp. 615-628.
Jervis, R. (1978) «Cooperation Under the Security Dilemma», World Politics, 30 (2), pp. 167-214.
Waltz, K. (2000) Structural Realism after the Cold War, International Security, 25 (1), pp. 5-41.
Mearsheimer, J. (2001) The Tragedy of Great Power Politics, New York: W.W. Norton.
Luttwak E. (1999) «Give War a Chance», Foreign Affairs, 78 (4), pp. 36-44.
3. Liberal explanations
Russet, B. and O'Neale, J. (2001) Triangulating Peace. Democracy, Interdependence and International Organizations, New York: W. W. Norton.
Gartzke, E. (2008) «The Capitalist Peace», American Journal of Political Science, 51 (1), pp. 166-191.
Ikenberry, J. (1998) Institutions, Strategic Restraint, and the Persistence of American Postwar Order, International Security, 23 (3), pp. 43-78.
Fearon, J. (1995) «Rationalist Explanations for War», International Organization, 49 (3), pp. 379-414.
Keohane, R. (1988) «International Institutions: Two Approaches», International Studies QUarterly, 32 (4), pp. 379-396.
Axelrod, R. and Keohane, R. (1985) «Achieving Cooperation under Anarchy: Strategies and Institutions», World Politics, 38 (1), pp. 226-254.
Kaysen, C. (1990) «Is War Obsolete?: A Review Essay», International Security, 14 (4) pp. 42-64.
Chua, A. (2007) Day of Empire. How Hyperpowers Rise to Global Dominance, and How They Fall, New York: Doubleday.
4. Alternative explanations
Jervis, R. (1988) «War and Misperception», Journal of Interdisciplinary History, 18 (4), pp. 675-700.
Allison, G. (1969) «Conceptual Models and the Cuban Missile Crisis», The American Political Science Review, 63 (3), pp. 689-718.
Wendt, A. (1992) «Anarchy is what states make of it: the social construction of power politics», International Organization, 46 (2), pp. 391-425.
Wight, M. (1987) «An anatomy of International Thought», Review of International Studies, 13, 221-227.
Howard, M. (2001) The Invention of Peace. Reflections on Peace and International Order, London: Profile Books, trad. it. L'invenzione della pace: guerra e relazioni internazionali, Bologna: Il Mulino, 2002.
North, D., Wallis, J. e Weingast, B. (2009) «Violence and the Rise of Open-Access Orders», Journal of Democracy, 20 (1), pp. 55-68.
Olson Jr, M. (1993) «Dictatorship, Democracy, and Development», American Political Science Review, 87 (3), pp. 567-576.
Jervis, R. (1997) «Complexity and the Analysis of Political and Social Life», Political Science Quarterly, 112 (4), pp. 569-593.
Huntington, S. (1993) «The Clash of Civilizations?», Foreign Affairs, 72 (3), pp. 22-49.
Fioretos, O. (2011) Historical Institutionalism in International Relations, International Organization, 65 (2), pp. 367-399.

Teaching methods

Twenty two hour classes.

Assessment methods

Written examination. Students will be required to answer three questions out of seven in 45 minutes. Attending students can sit a mid term exam on November 5th 29th on the Kennedy book and a final on December 10th.

Office hours

See the website of Filippo Andreatta