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 two parts. The first one (8 lectures) will concentrate on the historical evolution of the international system since 1500. The second one (12 lectures) will systematically analyze the main theoretical interpretations on the evolution and functioning of international systems, with particular reference to security and international stability.

Readings/Bibliography

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Non attending students (or students with no previous IR background) are also expected to read the e-book F. Andreatta (2017) Great Works in International Relations, Il Mulino.

Introduction
Kennedy, P. (1987) The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers, New York. Random House [chapp. 1-7].
Jervis, R. (2002) «Theories of War in an Era of Leading-Power Peace», American Political Science Review, 96:1, 1-14.
Keohane, R. (1988) «International Institutions: Two Approaches», International Studies Quarterly, 32: 4, 379-396.
Snyder, J. (2004) «One World, Rival Theories», Foreign Policy, nov., 52-62.

Realism
Gilpin, R. (1988) «The Theory of Hegemonic War», Journal of Interdisciplinary History, 18:4, 591-613.
Grieco, J. (1988) «Anarchy and the limits of cooperation: a realist critique of the newest liberal institutionalism», International Organization, 42:3, 485-507.
Herz, J. (1950) «Idealist Internationalism and the Security Dilemma», World Politics, 2:2, 157-180.
Jervis, R. (1978) «Cooperation Under the Security Dilemma», World Politics, 30:2, 167- 214.
Krasner, S. (1976) «State Power and the Structure of International Trade», World Politics, 28:3, 317-34.
Mearsheimer, J. (1990) «Why We Will soon Miss the Cold War», The Atlantic Monthly, 266:2, 35-50.
Mearsheimer, J. (1994) «The False Promise of International Institutions», International Security, 19:3, 5-49.
Waltz, K. (1970) «The Myth of National Interdepedence», in Kindelberger, C. (ed.), The International Corporation, Cambridge MA: MIT Press.
Waltz, K. (1979) Theory of International Politics, Reading, Mass., Addison-Wesley Publishing Company.
Waltz, K. (1988), «The Origins of War in Neorealist Theory», Journal of Interdisciplinary History, 18:4, 615-628.

Liberalism
Axelrod, R., Keohane, R. (1985) «Achieving Cooperation under Anarchy: Strategies and Institutions», World Politics, 38:1, 226-254.
Doyle, M. (1983) «Kant, Liberal Legacies, and Foreign Affairs, Part 1 & 2», Philosophy and Public Affairs, 12:3, 4, 205-235, 323-353.
Fearon, J. (1995) «Rationalist Explanations for War», International Organization, 49:3, 379-414.
Gartzke, E. (2007) «The Capitalist Peace», American Journal of Political Science, 51:1, 166-191.
Ikenberry, G.J. (1998) «Institutions, Strategic Restraint, and the Persistence of American Postwar Order», International Security, 23:3, 43-78.
Kaysen, V. (1990) «Is War Obsolete?: A Review Essay», International Security, 14:4, 42-64.
Keohane, R., Martin, L. (1995) «The Promise of Institutionalist Theory», International Security, 20:1, 39-51.
Levy, J. (1988) «Domestic Politics and War», Journal of Interdisciplinary History, 18:4, 653-673.
Russett, B., Oneal, J. (2001) Triangulating Peace. Democracy, Interdependence and International Organizations, New York and London, W.W. Norton & Company.
Slaughter, A.M. (2016) «How to Succeed in the Networked World», Foreign Affairs, 95:6, 76-89.

Reflectivism
Allison, G. (1969), «Conceptual Models and the Cuban Missile Crisis», American Political Science Review, 63:3, 689-718.
Fukuyama, F. (1989) «The End of History?», The National Interest, 16, 3-18.
Galtung, J. (1971) «A Structural Theory of Imperialism», Journal of Peace Research, 8:2, 81-117.
Hassner, P. (1994) «Beyond the Three Traditions: The Philosophy of War and Peace in Historical Perspective», International Affairs, 70:4, 737-756.
Huntington, S. (1993) «The Clash of Civilizations?», Foreign Affairs, 72:3, 22-49.
Jervis, R. (1988) «War and Misperception», Journal of Interdisciplinary History, 18:4, 675-700.
Ruggie, J.G. (1995) «The False Premise of Realism», International Security, 20:1, 62-70.
Wendt, A. (1995) «Constructing International Politics», International Security, 20:1, 71-81.
Wendt, A. (1999), Social Theory of International Politics, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Wight, M. (1987) «An Anatomy of International Thought», Review of International Studies, 13:3, 221-227.

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 the Kennedy book (chapp. 1-7) on week 5 (November 8th) and a final on the last day of class (December 6th).

Office hours

See the website of Filippo Andreatta