Section I. Principles of International Relations

There is an extensive and diverse literature that suggests that the behavior and performance of democratic governments is markedly different from (i.e., better than) that of authoritarian governments across a range of policy areas, including war, terrorism, genocide, famine, trade and investment, education, and environmental protection. Choose two of these policy areas and describe why theoretically democracies might perform better than authoritarian governments. Be sure to cite relevant literature. Is democracy the cause or the effect of performance in these two areas? Now, focusing only on one policy area, describe some of the debates within this body of literature. What is your assessment of the impact of democracy in this particular policy area?

The state has largely been the chief social actor in the international system since the Peace of Westphalia. Yet, some scholars have suggested that we are witnessing the "withering" of the state. Is the state as actor losing its primacy in international system? Why or why not?

What is the link, if any, between intercultural relations and international relations in general?

How does democratic peace theory challenge realist approaches to understanding conflict in the international system?

Compare and contrast Neo-Realism with another theory of international relations. Pick a historical event and discuss how each theory would explain it. Which one do you think is more accurate and why?

Define power, both in terms of influence and capability. What is necessary to estimate the power of a state? What limits the power of a state?

Explain the difference between Multilateralism and Multipolarity.

If the United States is replaced by either another Hegemon or by a Multipolar Balance of Power, discuss specific U.S. economic, political and security goals unique to the United States that a successor international leadership might be less likely to continue to pursue. Explain why these U.S. goals would be rejected by alternative international regimes.

Despite criticism of American "unilateralism," the international community so far has not been able to restrain the U.S. via economic, diplomatic, legal or security means. Explain this failure of the classic concept of the Balance of Power.

Do Multi-National Corporations have a moral or legal responsibility to protect Human Rights wherever they operate? Explain your answer.

How can government corruption, especially in the Developing Nations, work to de-legitimize a national government? Discuss possible solutions to corruption.

Idealist Theorists believe that "Moral Authority" is an important instrument to maintain international and domestic peace and prosperity. Discuss the pros and cons of utilizing moral authority as leverage to achieve economic, diplomatic and security goals.

Using the 2003 Iraq War as a case study, use at least three levels of analysis to explain why the war occurred.

The United States has been declared the global hegemon. Yet a growing number of analysts claim that America's hegemonic position is weakening. What forces are undercutting American power?

For Realists, international politics is inherently power politics. Explain this proposition. Discuss its weaknesses.

Discuss the nature of "International Public Opinion." What are the pros and cons of allowing it to play a major role in setting the agenda of the international system?

Section II. Developing Nations/ Regional Affairs

Some analysts believe that the trend toward an aging population in both Developed and Developing Nations will have a fundamental impact on the well being of the world. Discuss the positive and negative impact of this trend on global economic and security arenas.

The debate over free trade and economic integration often focuses on the impact of these forces on democracy and human rights in participating countries. Advocates claim that economic liberalization, a more competitive marketplace and enhanced levels of economic activity resulting from freer trade and greater economic integration actually promote democracy and the advancement of human rights. Critics say the opposite. What are the arguments put forward by each side in this debate? In what ways does one's particular definition of democracy and human rights shape one's assessment of the impact of free trade and economic integration? What is the most appropriate way of defining democracy and human rights? Be sure to cite relevant sources in your response. Please refer to any specific facts, evidence and examples to illustrate your analysis.

When considering the prospects for free trade and economic integration in the Americas, many analysts offer comparisons with the European Union to provide perspective. In what ways does the experience with integration of the western European countries over the past several decades offer lessons for the continued broadening and deepening of free trade and economic integration in the Americas? Specifically, using lessons from the EU what are the chances that sub-regional free trade areas will be broadened to include a truly hemispheric Free Trade Area of the Americas? Additionally, what are the prospects for progressively deeper relations that might go beyond free trade to include customs unions, common markets, economic union and ultimately political union? What might be some barriers that impede such broadening and deepening, and how might these be overcome, if at all? Be sure to cite specific works where appropriate.

Many observers of the behavior of the United States in its diplomatic relations with Latin America have referred to so-called "cycles of concern and neglect" in the post-World War II period. Looking back across the past few decades and several presidential administrations, please describe some of the succession of the peaks and valleys in the attention paid to Latin America by the United States (please present this in chronological order). Now, assess why such cycles might have occurred using two paradigms for analyzing international relations (e.g., realist, neo-realist, liberal-internationalist, international political economy, historical-institutionalist, domestic sources of foreign policy, or other paradigms). Based on the two paradigms you discuss, should we expect that such cycles will continue into the future? Why or why not?

The word, political economy, suggests that economic decision-making is intertwined with political decision-making. How does the "intertwining" of economics and politics affect the prospects of cooperation among states?

"States" and "markets" are singled out for special treatment by International Political Economy. In what ways do they differ as institutions?

Some believe that regional organizations such as the European Union or the African Union are better suited to implementing peacekeeping activities than the United Nations. What are some of the pros and cons of leaving peacekeeping tasks to regional organizations?

Some believe that the international free trade system restricts rather than enhances the development prospect of some LDCs. What is your take on this issue? Be sure to refer to any pertinent theories that may be relevant to this debate.

Describe the gap between Developed and Developing nations. What are the various explanations for its causes? With which do you agree and why? What are the various solutions proposed to close the gap? With which do you agree and why?

Describe the current state of Lesser Developed Contries. If you had all of the resources required, what problem would you solve first and why? What resources would you need?

What are the benefits of free trade? The costs? Would you advocate that the United States pursue free trade on a worldwide basis? Why or why not?

Do multi-national corporations (MNCs) pose a threat to National sovereignty? Assess the relative strengths and weaknesses of the state vis-a-vis the MNC.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to a developing nation. Specifically, explain what groups in a developing country are likely to gain or lose from FDI. How politically powerful(or how likely are they to mobilize and lobby)are these groups?

Many politicians seem to think that exports are good for the country but imports are bad. Do you agree or disagree. Explain

Suppose the US requires that all fish imported to the US be caught using techniques that do not endanger dolphins or sea turtles (i.e., techniques that we require domestic fisherman to use). Would such a requirement be an unfair trade restriction? Present arguments for and against.

Many opponents of free trade agreements such as the Free Trade Area of the Americas claim that such agreements hurt working families. Explain the arguments in favor and against this proposition. Do you think free trade agreement hurt working families? Explain.

China is currently running large trade deficits with the United States. Explain to what extent this is or is not a problem for the US and what you think the US should do (or not do) about it.

The US dollar has been slipping against the Euro. What would be the impact of further devaluation of the dollar be on the US economy? Should the US try to support a strong dollar or let it devalue?

Many developing nations employ child labor in ways that would be illegal in the US. What are the arguments for and against pressuring nations to adopt US style child labor laws? Should the US apply such pressure?

Assess the value of economic sanctions in international relations. Why do nations use them and when are they most effective?

Under what circumstances are international economic sanctions likely to be effective and when are they likely to fail? Cite examples of success and failure and explain why you think sanctions succeeded or failed in each case.

The United States has pursued the six-party talks involving two Koreas, China, Russia and Japan to solve the North Korean nuclear issue. What are the geopolitical and strategic reasons that justify those countries (except two Koreas) to get involved in the Korean issue? Why does the United States adhere to the multilateral talks rather than the bilateral talks with North Korea?

Japan has in recent years pursued military power, at home and abroad, commensurate with her economic power. Identify its effect on the regional balance of power in East Asia.

How might the imperatives of American international financial and economic needs clash with America's national military security needs? Be specific and give relevant examples.

Discuss the argument that the chief problem for most Developing Nations is not too much governmental power, but rather the absence of sufficient governmental power to make and to implement policies.

Discuss the pros and cons of continuing to allow Developing Nations to be exempted from international regimes to protect the global environment from pollution damage.

The European Union is committed to expanding eastward. Discuss the pros and cons of this policy.

Discuss major barriers to amicable intercultural relations besides language problems. Cite strategies that often can diminish intercultural barriers and friction.

World Bank structural adjustment programs frequently require Developing Nations to cut government budget deficits and subsidies. Why is this often destabilizing to a Third World country's economic and political systems?

Discuss the major reasons why Developing Nations feel vulnerable in their economic relations with Developed Nations. What sort of domestic Third World and international reforms might decrease these problems for the Developing Nations?

Discuss the impact of Colonialism on the political and economic systems of Third World countries. Is this explanation for Third World problems overblown? Explain your answer.

The rapid introduction of Information Technology (IT), especially the Internet, to the Third World is seen by some analysts as an example of "inappropriate technology," given their pressing need for significant economic, political and social reforms. Discuss the pros and cons for Developing Nations of the wide spread availability and use of IT in the Third World.

Section III. Security

 Is the "war on terror" a "clash of civilizations"? Why or why not?

The United States recently approved the use of 'preemptive war' as an instrument of national security. What are some possible positive and/or negative implications of this policy on the international system?

"The classical military strategists still have applicability to today's environment." Using examples, argue for or against this statement.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of coalition warfare, giving examples of how well it has worked in practice.

Considerable attention has been paid to the role of special operations forces in US strategy in recent years. Describe and discuss how special operations forces can be used to achieve US strategic goals and potential pitfalls in the use of these forces.

Describe US nuclear strategy during the Cold War and how it has changed since the end of that era. What elements of current nuclear strategy do you feel need to be changed and what recommendations would you make for a viable nuclear strategy?

America's goals of universal market based economies and global political democracy seem to come critics to be either naïve or arrogant. Explain how this U.S. strategy for global peace and prosperity is seen by critics as unrealistic or insensitive to many cultures and governments.

The United States is dependent on foreign energy resources as well as on foreign investment in the U.S. economy and government financial instruments. Despite this apparent dependence, discuss how the US is able to maintain its freedom of action internationally.

If Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda's goal is just to oust the West from the Islamic World and not to conquer the non-Muslim world, why is this more limited goal still a threat to the peace and prosperity of the non-Muslim world?

A number of middle sized powers such as New Zealand and Canada are unilaterally disarming their own national military security forces though defense budget cuts and a refusal to update weapons systems. Explain the reasons for this trend. Is this trend likely to become more widespread for smaller and middle level powers? Explain your answer.

Some observers claim that the source of anti-Americanism is not that the United States is a status quo power internationally, but that it seeks radical changes to international economic, political and security systems. How might U.S. foreign and security policies be described as "radical"?

Explain why the United States finds it difficult since the end of the Cold War, and especially since September 11, 2001, to cooperate with other major Democratic Powers on a common international agenda.

Explain why the United States sees the spread of Market Democracy as a major component of its War on Terrorism.

Kenneth Waltz claims that nuclear weapons are 'fundamentally status quo weapons, inducing caution and promoting stability." Support or reject this hypothesis in light of the recent or potential proliferation of nuclear weapons to Developing Nations.

Discuss the negative impact on the world economy of certain aspects of the West's strategy to defeat world terrorism.

Strategic security intelligence gathering and analysis are an art, not a science. With reference to recent criticisms of U.S. government intelligence agencies, discuss the major causes of inadequate collection and interpretation of intelligence for use by U.S. government leaders. Do suggested reforms resolve these problems? Explain your answer.

Section IV. Instruments of International Relations

 Is it fair to characterize contemporary American Foreign Policy as "imperial"? Why or why not?

Currently, the United Nations is heavily dependent on contributions from member states to fund its operations. Some advocate the implementation of new funding mechanisms such as global taxes on international foreign exchange or trade that provide an independent funding source for this global body. What are some of the pros and cons of this type of reform?

Many United Nations member states advocate increasing the size and representativeness of the Security Council, including adding new permanent members such as Germany, Japan, Nigeria or Brazil. Discuss the possible pros and cons of adding permanent members to the Security Council. Will adding new permanent members increase the representativeness, legitimacy or effectiveness of the body?

What are the pros and cons of United States participation in the Kyoto Protocol and other global governance activities aimed at combating the problem of global warming?

International public opinion of the United States has deteriorated over the past few years in most parts of the world. Has this deterioration affected the ability of the United States to project power or otherwise pursue its national interests? What can the United States do to improve its global image?

Briefly describe the major UN institutions and their intended functions. In what areas has the UN been successful in achieving its objectives? In what areas has it failed?

What are human rights? Can there be agreement on "universal" human rights? How does the international community react to violations of human rights? Is the reaction effective? If not, what do you suggest would be an effective reaction?

What role should persuasion, as opposed to power, play in American foreign policy? What objectives can the US best obtain through persuasion and what objectives must the US rely on tradition economic and military power to achieve? Does the US effectively use persuasion in it current foreign policy?

In what circumstances should the US use coercive diplomacy to achieve its objectives? Specifically address the circumstances in which coercive diplomacy is most likely to be effective and circumstances in which other options are more likely to be effective.

Some observers claim that the international news media drive foreign policy decisions by sovereign states and international government organizations (IGOs). Explain how the news media can affect the foreign policy agendas of nation states and IGOs. What are the pros and cons of this phenomenon?

Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) recently have come in for criticism about their methods of operation. Others have claimed that some of their policies in the areas of human rights, humanitarian relief, environmental protection and biodiversity actually hurt Third World economic and political development. Discuss these criticisms of NGO operations and policies.

Using either the European Union OR the United Nations, comment on the pros and cons of their individual attempts to restructure their organizations and to expand their institutional functions.

Recent criticisms of the United Nations include charges that it is corrupt, inefficient and ineffective in dealing with contemporary force and non-force issues. Analyze the validity of these charges.

Despite a proliferation of Humanitarian and Human Rights Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), threats to individual and group rights have increased since the end of the Cold War. Why have rights abuses increased? Why have NGO's been ineffective in curbing the increase?