Topics in International Relations #1
introduction International Relations
Did you know that in 1648, the Peace of Westphalia treaties laid the groundwork for the modern state system?
The beginnings of our current international system are just as important as the future. By understanding these historical foundations, students gain a deeper perspective on current global politics and the evolution of state interactions. Advanced topics that define systems approaches to international relations are also important but you cannot easily understand them without the foundations.
Recommended Book: "The Globalization of World Politics" by John Baylis, Steve Smith, and Patricia Owens.
Contemporary Global Issues post cold war
The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 reshaped global politics, marking the end of the Cold War. This event reshaped global politics, but it was one of many events of great historical importance.
Why it is important to know of moments like these is for context for current global issues and their origins. It helps students and scholars new to the field analyze contemporary challenges, fostering an understanding of their complex nature and historical roots.
Recommended Book: "World Order" by Henry Kissinger.
Issues in International Political Economy
The Bretton Woods Conference in 1944 established key financial institutions and set the stage for post-war economic policy. Although we have been trading together for thousands of years of human history, international relations as we know it today has very clean roots, particularly when it comes to economics.
Understanding these historical economic agreements is essential for engaging in international policy or economic decision-making. Money, commodities, and material aspects of life are deeply intwined in the field of international relations and politics.
Recommended Book: "The Economic Consequences of the Peace" by John Maynard Keynes.
Foreign Policy Analysis
The Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 is a common case study in foreign policy analysis. It is textbook, but there are
How exactly do you analyze the intricacies of international diplomacy and strategy? Understanding foreign policy processes is vital for contributing to global relations.
Recommended Book: "Essence of Decision: Explaining the Cuban Missile Crisis" by Graham T. Allison.