ESSAYS

These short essays should be 1,000 words (about 4 pages), typed and double-spaced (12 point font). You are not required to do outside reading but should indicate in footnotes, endnotes, or in-text citations the ideas that you take from any of the readings. These essays should be analytical instead of merely descriptive.

For each topic choose one and write your essay in response. Clearly indicate which topic you are responding to.

For a sense of what I expect from this assignment, see: Essay Writing Guidelines

TOPIC ONE: (due 10/14 in class)

(1) Evaluate balance of power versus collective security as paths to world order (don't forget to include how each reflects a view of international politics)

(2) Would the world be more peaceful if women dominated international politics? Why or why not? (include some discussion of how this reflects a particular view of international politics)

(3) America's military force was unable to stop the destruction of the World Trade Towers on September 11. Does this mean that conventional and even nuclear military force doesn't matter anymore?

(4) Choose an example of war (World Wars I, II, Gulf War, etc.) and evaluate the "levels of analysis" approach to understanding the causes of war.

TOPIC TWO: (due 11/22 in class)

(1) Assess and evaluate the success (or failure) of bilateral and multilateral arms control treaties in slowing or stopping the spread of dangerous weapons of war (especially weapons of mass destruction).

(2) Evaluate the case for or against the International Criminal Court. Do you think that the United States has made a mistake in failing to join it?

(3) Do you think that an American invasion of Iraq would comply with the norms of international law as conventionally understood today? Why or why not? If not, do you think that it could still be justified?

(4) Why has the United Nations failed to live up to expectations after World War II? Should it be given a chance to play a larger role in international politics today? Why or why not?

FINAL EXAM ESSAY (take home open book due by end of finals period)

(1) Many thinkers regard the state of the global environment as a new form of "national security" issue. Evaluate this idea in the context of the international politics of the global environment.

(2) Opponents of the World Trade Organization are skeptical of the doctrine of "free trade". Evaluate this debate about global trade and indicate which argument you find most valid.

(3) Multinational Corporations are very controversial; moreover, their activities encompass the major domains of the global economy---finance, trade, and production. Evaluate the role of MNCs in the politics of the global economy.

(4) The convention of state sovereignty appears to be coming increasingly in conflict with the norms of "human rights". Evaluate this contemporary controversy.