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 open exclusively to UNIBO students, since it is a compulsory course for all IR students. Exchange students are NOT entitled to take the course.

This course investigates how competing theories of International Relations explain the historical evolution of the international system from the emergence of the modern state to the end of the Cold War. The lectures introduce the major theoretical traditions of International Relations and examine how each explains the evolution of the international system through different assumptions about power, interests, institutions, domestic politics and ideas.

The course is organized into lectures and seminars, as detailed in the following program. Throughout the course, some of the main theories in the discipline will be illustrated: balance of power. hegemonic stability, institutionalism, democratic peace and capitalist peace as well as constructivist and English school approaches. Students will repeatedly compare competing theoretical explanations of the same historical events in order to understand both the explanatory power and the limitations of each theoretical tradition. Each seminar revolves around one historical international system. In particular, the systems which will be taken into consideration are: the Westphalian system (1519-1659), the Ancient Regime and Revolutionary system (1660-1815), the Long Peace in the XIX Century (1815-1885), the First World War system (1885-1918), the Second World War system (1919-1945), the Cold War system (1946-1991).

The course adopts innovative teaching and is organized in lectures and seminars. Students are expected to read the required materials BEFORE the relevant lecture, according to the principles of the flipped classroom. In the seminar part, students are expected to participate actively and to show their ability to independently apply theoretical interpretations to case studies. Interpretations generated by Artificial Intelligence models will also be discussed, with the aim of developing critical thinking and the ability to evaluate strengths and weaknesses of Large Language Models, in coherence with the University’s policy on AI which can be found at: https://www.unibo.it/en/university/statute-standards-strategies-and-reports/artificial-intelligence/artificial-intelligence

At the end of the course students will be able to:

• explain the historical evolution of the international system;

• compare competing theories of International Relations;

• apply a coherent theoretical interpretation to historical cases;

• evaluate the explanatory strengths and limitations of alternative theories;

• critically assess AI-generated interpretations of international politics.

Readings/Bibliography

Below is a reading list of the required material for each of the sessions. Students are expected to have read the required materials before each class.

The following two books are required:

- Andreatta, F. (2017) Classic Works in International Relations, Bologna, Il Mulino (available on PandoraCampus);

- Kennedy, P. (1987) The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers, New York, Random House (also available as an e-book), any edition.

The other required articles will be made available, as well as the slides of the lectures, on the course page on Virtuale (Moodle).

A list of recommended readings will be uploaded on Virtuale (Moodle) and demonstrating knowledge of them in the exam and/or in seminar discussions may improve the grade. Recommended materials are available on the electronic resources of the university, https://sba.unibo.it/it/almare.

 

REQUIRED READINGS:

 

Lecture 1: Introduction: International Relations between Theory and History

- Snyder, J. (2004) «One World, Rival Theories», Foreign Policy, 145, 52-62

 

Lecture 2: The Three Traditions: Realism, Liberalism, Reflectivism

- Andreatta, F. (2017) Classic Works in International Relations, Il Mulino, Introduction, pp. 2-18

 

Lecture 3: The Balance of Power

- Andreatta, Classic Works, chapp. III (Morgenthau), pp. 46-57 and VIII (Waltz), pp. 123-135

- Waltz, K. (1988) «The Origins of War in Neorealist Theory», Journal of Interdisciplinary History, 18:4, 615-628

 

Lecture 4: Hegemonic Stability and Unipolarity

- Andreatta, Classic Works, chap. IX (Gilpin), pp. 137-152

- Gilpin, R. (1988) «The Theory of Hegemonic War», Journal of Interdisciplinary History, 18:4, 591-613

 

Lecture 5: International Institutions

- Andreatta, Classic Works, chap. X (Keohane), pp. 154-166

- Axelrod, R. and R. Keohane (1985) «Achieving Cooperation under Anarchy: Strategies and Institutions», World Politics, 38:1, 226-254

 

Lecture 6: Domestic Regimes

- Andreatta, Classic Works, chap. XIV (Russett and O’Neal), pp. 204-222

- Doyle, M. (1986) «Liberalism and World Politics», American Political Science Review, 80:4, pp. 1151-1169

 

Lecture 7: Economic Interdependence

- Andreatta, Classic Works, chap. I (Angell), pp. 21-31

- Gartzke, E. (2007) «The Capitalist Peace», American Journal of Political Science, 51:1, 166-191

 

Lecture 8: Ideational and reflectivist interpretations

- Andreatta, Classic Works, chapp. VII (Bull), pp. 110-121 and XIII (Wendt) pp. 192-202

- Wendt, A. (1992) «Anarchy is what States Make of it: The Social Construction of Power Politics», International Organization, 46:2, 391-425

 

*** SEMINAR SECTION ***

 

Seminar 1: The Westphalian System

- Kennedy, P. (1987): The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers, Chapp. 1-2

 

Seminar 2: Ancien Regime and Revolutionary System

- Kennedy, P. (1987): The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers, Chap. 3

 

Seminar 3: The Long Peace in the XIX Century

- Kennedy, P. (1987): The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers, Chap. 4

 

Seminar 4: The First World War

- Kennedy, P. (1987): The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers, Chap. 5

 

Seminar 5: The Second World War

- Kennedy, P. (1987): The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers, Chap. 6

 

Seminar 6: The Cold War

- Kennedy, P. (1987): The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers, Chap. 7

 

Teaching methods

Lectures and seminars.

Assessment methods

The assessment is designed to evaluate students’ ability to apply theoretical knowledge to explain international political events. One in class presentation applying one of the theories to one of the historical periods (1/3 of the grade). One in class exam composed by a test (6 multiple choice on required readings) and a critical assessment of a paragraph generated by Artificial Intelligence (1/3 of the grade). One short in class paper answering one question out of three applying one of the theories to one of the historical periods (1/3 of the grade). The exam will take place on the EOL platform so students are required to bring a writing device.

Assignments will be evaluated on: 1) theoretical and historical accuracy, 2) coherence in the theory’s application to the historical event in question (beware not to mix different theories), 3) theoretical breadth and engagement with the literature (you should mention recommended literature not in the required readings), 4) clarity and quality of the (oral or written) presentation. It is advised to start with the theory and then move to the historical interpretation, in order to minimize risks of inconsistency.

Non attending student may take the exam during the university's exam session. The exam involves one in class exam composed by a test (6 multiple choice on required readings) and a critical assessment of a paper written by Generative Artificial Intelligence (1/2 of the grade) and one short in class paper answering one question out of three applying one of the theories to one of the historical periods (1/2 of the grade).

 

Final grade: 30 Excellent knowledge of the theories, ability to apply them originally and explain them clearly; 26-29 Weak on one of the three aspects; 22-25 Weak on two of the three aspects; 18-21 Weak on all the three aspects.

In terms of security, all students must attend Modules 1 and 2 on Health and Safety procedures [https://www.unibo.it/en/services-and-opportunities/health-and-assistance/health-and-safety/online-course-on-health-and-safety-in-study-and-internship-areas ]

Teaching tools

Virtuale (Moodle) Platform.

Office hours

See the website of Filippo Andreatta