29 Dec Recently, the European debt

POLI457 International Relations

Week 1 Discussion

DQ1 HISTORICAL UNDERSTANDING

Comment on what you have previously been taught or what you believe to be the two most significant events of global world history. At least one should not involve the United States at all. Explain your reasoning and comment on the contributions of other classmates’ responses.

DQ2 GLOBAL LITERACY

With regard to your understanding of globalization, explain and discuss why developing skills and abilities, such as understanding different cultures and being able to speak foreign languages, is advantageous to an individual in the modern world.

POLI457 International Relations

Week 2 Discussion

DQ1 STATES AS CENTRAL ACTORS

Realists see states as the central actors in international relations. Using the United Nations as an example, how might liberalists suggest collaboration could be a more attractive policy than unitary action?

DQ2 FROM ANARCHY TO INSECURITY

Realists argue that in a world driven by chaos and anarchy, the only means of survival is self-defense. How might a nation’s desire to possess nuclear weapons be consistent with realist thinking about self-defense while at the same time contributing to a tendency known as the security dilemma?

POLI457 International Relations

Week 3 Discussion

DQ1 ISSUES OF DEMOCRACY

What are some of the positive aspects and strengths of a democratic system of government? Do you feel that democracy has any downfalls or shortcomings? If not, comment on shortcomings that other classmates have suggested.

DQ2 ECONOMIC SYSTEMS

Elaborate on the economic systems of capitalism, socialism, and communism. Which do you find preferable as an economic system? Make sure you use concrete examples to illustrate your assertions.

POLI457 International Relations

Week 4 Discussion

DQ1 FOREIGN POLICY, NATIONAL INTEREST, AND INTEREST GROUPS

In Chapter 5, the author mentions the many roles that interest groups play in affecting foreign policy and national interest. How might interest groups involve themselves in a debate in which the United States considers establishing diplomatic relations with Gaza, a territory adjacent to Israel and home to Palestinian Arabs?

DQ2 THE FOREIGN POLICY PROCESS

In many respects, American foreign policy is the domain of the executive branch. But the process of making foreign policy tells us other actors can become involved. Where would the legislative and judicial branches factor into an executive branch decision to attack Iran?

POLI457 International Relations

Week 5 Discussion

DQ1 CAUSES OF WAR

Apply one of the theories to a 20th- or 21st-century war that has occurred or is currently happening. Be sure to use concrete examples from the wars and the lecture. Also, comment on two other classmates’ posts, relating the different causes to their choices.

DQ2 TERRORISTIC THREATS AND RESPONSES

Much has been made about the United States’s use of drone strikes to root out terrorist threats, mainly in the Middle East. Comment on this as a preemptive strike against terrorism, but also comment on how some may see it as an act of terrorism.

POLI457 International Relations

Week 6 Discussion

DQ1 THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR SQUAWKING

An American consumer wants to buy a pair of boots. He finds what he’s looking for at Walmart. They are imported and are 40% cheaper than any other competitor’s price. He buys them, takes them home, puts them on, and steps into an international economic debate among liberalists, realists, and feminists on the merits of globalization. How?

DQ2 LIBERALIZATION AND FAIR TRADE: THE ODD COUPLE?

We have increased free trade through the process of liberalization by reducing barriers. Some nations have prospered, whereas others claim to have been hurt because the process is not fair. Where is the disconnect between free trade and fair trade, and what role can international relations play to close the gap?

POLI457 International Relations

Week 7 Discussion

DQ1 INTERNATIONALLY CONNECTED ECONOMIES

Recently, the European debt crisis had rippling effects on economies all over the world. Why are the economies of the world so interconnected in the 2010s? Use concrete examples from the reading and the lecture in your responses.

DQ2 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE UNITED NATIONS

The United Nations has been both effective and ineffective in its mission since its creation, according to many observers. Give one example of both (you may do so in two different threads), and comment on one of your classmates’ examples with regard to the mission of the United Nations.