Discuss: Theoretical Approaches to IR

Introduction: One of the normative goals of international relations as a discipline is to make sense of world politics and develop appropriate solutions to issues of global importance. While it may seem that policymakers make one-dimensional choices based on a narrow ideological orientations as portrayed in the political cartoon above, most proposed solutions draw from a variety of theoretical perspective and ideological orientations to offer a plan of action. The discussion prompts this week invite you to consider various issues from one of the theoretical frameworks that we have examined over the last two weeks.

Instructions: For your discussion post this week, you will think about, apply, and interpret some of the major theoretical approaches to international relations. This activity is designed to help you relate the concepts of international relations to real-world events that might have an impact on your own life and appreciate how these theories can be used to make sense of diverse situations. Prior to completing your assigned discussion response activity, you should carefully complete the reading assigned for this week. Remember that your response should be between 200 and 300 words, and that you should also. You are required to provide both in-text and reference citations in APA for all sources utilized.

Your specific discussion prompt varies by the first letter of your last name as below:

• Last Names A-D: In Chapter 3 of the course textbook, the authors offer a constructivist explanation of the ethnic conflict between ethnic Hutu and ethnic Tutsi in Rwanda (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site., which led to the 1994 Rwandan Genocide (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (see also Theory in Action on page 49). How would a realist explain the conflict? Familiarize yourself with the Rwandan Genocide by reading the two short articles below and/or watching the 2004 PBS/Frontline Documentary (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.The Ghosts of Rwanda (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..
  • Kimberly Fornace (April, 2009). “The Rwandan Genocide.” Beyond Intractability (https://www.beyondintractability.org/casestudy/fornace-rwandan (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.)
  • A’ishah Waheed (August 24, 2011). “How can one best explain the Rwandan genocide?” e-International Relations (http://www.e-ir.info/2011/08/24/how-can-one-best-explain-the-rwandan-genocide/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.). n.b.: This website collects work from students that are IR majors with advanced standing – while not authoritative work, this gives you an idea of how other students approach these kinds of topics.

  You may also incorporate any outside sources you wish (but be sure to cite them appropriately and provide a link!) In your response you should accomplish the following:

  • Summarize: In two or three sentences summarize the most important facts about the Rwandan Genocide.
  • Evaluate: Describe how a realist would explain the conflict between Hutu and Tutsis. Explain the basic principles of a realist approach and how they relate to the Rwandan case.
  • Analyze and Reflect: Compare the realist interpretation you just offered with the constructivist interpretation offered in the textbook. Which interpretation is more convincing or effective? Why?
• Last Names E-M: In Chapter 3 of the course textbook, the authors introduce the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), a set of trade agreements between Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan that was established in 2015 (page 75). How would a liberal theorist explain the decision-making that led to the establishment of the EEU? Familiarize yourself further with the EEU by reading the two short articles below (and optionally, a longer Chatham House (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. brief, The Eurasian Economic Union: Deals, Rules, and the Exercise of Power (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.):
  
  • Catherine Putz (January 13, 2018). “Remember the Eurasian Economic Union?” The Diplomat (direct link (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. | PDF)
  • Nurjamal Djanibekova (December 5, 2017). “Eurasian Economic Union: Many Problems, Few Solutions.” EurasiaNet (https://eurasianet.org/s/eurasian-economic-union-many-problems-few-solutions (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.).
  • BREAKING (optional): This piece was published on January 29, after the lesson materials for this week were prepared, but offers excellent insight: Josh Kucera (29 January 2018). “Is This Putin’s Utopia.” Coda Story (https://codastory.com/disinformation-crisis/information-war/is-this-putins-utopia (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.)

  You may also incorporate any outside sources you wish (but be sure to cite them appropriately and provide a link!) In your response you should accomplish the following:

  • Summarize: In two or three sentences summarize the most important facts about the Eurasian Economic Union.
  • Evaluate: Describe how a liberal theorist would explain the emergence and goals of the EEU. Which of the variants of liberalism described on page 71 of Chapter 3 is most relevant for explaining the cooperation between states evidenced by the EEU? Why?
  • Analyze and Reflect: Compare the liberal interpretation you just offered with a realistinterpretation. Which interpretation is more convincing or effective? Why?
• Last Names N-Z: On January 17 2018, it was announced (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. that North Korea and South Korea would march their athletes under one flag at the 2018 Winter Olympics. How would a constructivist explain this unexpected sports diplomacy? Familiarize yourself further with this recent decision by reading the two short articles below (and optionally, a longer Council on Foreign Relations brief, South Korea’s Olympic Gains (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.):
  
  • Udo Merkel (January 22, 2018). “North and South Korea to unite at Winter Olympics.” The Conversation (direct link (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. | PDF)
  • Lisa Collins (January 16, 2018). “Olympic diplomacy and elusive peace amid North Korea reality.” The Hill. (direct link (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. | PDF)

  You may also incorporate any outside sources you wish (but be sure to cite them appropriately and provide a link!) In your response you should accomplish the following:

  • Summarize: In two or three sentences summarize the most important facts about North Korea’s participation in the 2018 Winter Olympics.
  • Evaluate: Describe how a constructivist would explain the cooperation between two countries that have a long history of hostility. Be sure to explain what you mean by constructivist theory.
  • Analyze and Reflect: Compare the constructivist interpretation you just offered with a realist interpretation. Which interpretation is more convincing or effective? Why?

Your discussion posts should carefully address your assigned articles and directly cite the course textbook or other course materials as appropriate, and should consist of between 200 and 300 words. You are required to provide both in-text and reference citations in APA for all sources utilized.