PSCI 574 - Global Issues

Institution:

The Citadel

Subject:

Political Science

Description:

The course will review the new context for state interaction and global order. The most significant question is whether the international community can weather the storm of new challenges and threats without a central gatekeeper, such as the United States. Globalization has also given other states (established and newly emerging powers) opportunities to exploit the inability of the United States to foment a new architecture of stability and order. Follower states have found opportunities (many derived from the expanding and deepening global trading system) to undermine American dominance. Also, some states have moved to establish regional political and security alliances that not only speak to their needs (counter-terrorism, immigration, and natural resource exploitation, for example) but also dilute the "traditional" influence of the United States in these matters. At the same time, there has been a proliferation of "non-state actors" who are able to capitalize on the measurable weakening of national authority and the hesitancy of nation-states to coherently identify, define, and deal with the new challenges. Students will review the impact of global issues from two perspectives: (1) challenges and (2) opportunities within the framework that the traditional role of states as "gatekeepers," buffering and processing challenges to stability and order has been gradually been transformed. Throughout the course, student groups will take up several issues and proceed to analyze whether international institutions such as the United Nations, and regional and functional non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are in fact dysfunctional when confronted with the challenges of globalization. Student groups will also address the question of whether the Cold War origins and patterning of these NGOs are obstacles to the development of flexible and creative strategies. Finally, although it might be fairly argued that the traditionally conceived state's influence and role has been diminished, it can also be proposed that the state system will not wither away quietly, and that states will engage in behavior necessary to protect and grow their influence-newly emerging states may resist the influence of older states, but the former seeks similar symbols of power and behave in ways to enhance their own economic and political power on the world stage. Students will be required to complete a comprehensive final exam and to submit a research paper that may be derived from one or more of the paradoxes and contradictions described above. Students with relevant experiences in the private sector, government, military, or non-governmental organizations may, with the permission of the instructor use such experiences to shape their research paradigms.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.citadel.edu

Phone Number:

(843) 225-3294

Regional Accreditation:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

The Course Profile information is provided and updated by third parties including the respective institutions. While the institutions are able to update their information at any time, the information is not independently validated, and no party associated with this website can accept responsibility for its accuracy.