8/18/2008
My Tenth Day of Class (International Political Economy)
8/11 (Mon)
Is the concept of 'nationa states' are already old-fashioned because we are more economically interdependent one another? Let's think about the relationship between politics and economics.
According to 'The Nature of Political Economy' written by Robert Glipinpower, the relationship between politics and economics can be translated into the relationship between 'power and wealth.'
Thus, we can regard political economy as the study of the relationship or the reciprocal interaction between power and wealth.
There are three conceptions of political economy: Liberalism, Marxism, and mercantilism.
A question is raised here. Is the essence of economic relations harmonious or conflictual?
If you think the former opotion is resonable, you prefer Liberalism. And the latter, Marxism or Mercantilism.
I have lots of thing to write down more. I will update as soon as possible.
During the class we had a extra discussion on Russia-Georgia Conflict.
We are assigned to read a article 'In Georgia and Russia, a Perfect Brew for a Blowup' from the New York Times.
Is the concept of 'nationa states' are already old-fashioned because we are more economically interdependent one another? Let's think about the relationship between politics and economics.
According to 'The Nature of Political Economy' written by Robert Glipinpower, the relationship between politics and economics can be translated into the relationship between 'power and wealth.'
Thus, we can regard political economy as the study of the relationship or the reciprocal interaction between power and wealth.
There are three conceptions of political economy: Liberalism, Marxism, and mercantilism.
A question is raised here. Is the essence of economic relations harmonious or conflictual?
If you think the former opotion is resonable, you prefer Liberalism. And the latter, Marxism or Mercantilism.
I have lots of thing to write down more. I will update as soon as possible.
During the class we had a extra discussion on Russia-Georgia Conflict.
We are assigned to read a article 'In Georgia and Russia, a Perfect Brew for a Blowup' from the New York Times.
8/10/2008
My Nineth Day of Class (Mid-term Exam)
8/7 (Thu)
Today I had a mid-term exam!!
The instructor gave out a sheet of review paper so that the students could prepare for the exam.
The exam consists of two parts: short identifications and essay.
It was a bit surprise for me that a student finished it and left a classroom in 30 minutes.
The instructor asked us to write down the basic knowledges we studied during last classes. That is why the questions were comparatively easy. However, I found it difficult to get right to the point when I wrote down my answers for each question.
Today I had a mid-term exam!!
The instructor gave out a sheet of review paper so that the students could prepare for the exam.
The exam consists of two parts: short identifications and essay.
It was a bit surprise for me that a student finished it and left a classroom in 30 minutes.
The instructor asked us to write down the basic knowledges we studied during last classes. That is why the questions were comparatively easy. However, I found it difficult to get right to the point when I wrote down my answers for each question.
8/09/2008
My Seventh Day of Class (Foreign Policy Models)
8/5(Tue)
How are specific policy descisions actually made?
Are you interested in the decision-making process in a political field?
Today I learned three models of the decision making through the article 'Conceptual Models and the Cuban Missile Crisis' written by Graham T. Allison, an American political scientist.
The three models are Rational Policy Model, Beauraucratics Policy Model, and Interest Group Policy Model. He uses cuban crisis as a case study to analyze foreign policy models.
How are specific policy descisions actually made?
Are you interested in the decision-making process in a political field?
Today I learned three models of the decision making through the article 'Conceptual Models and the Cuban Missile Crisis' written by Graham T. Allison, an American political scientist.
The three models are Rational Policy Model, Beauraucratics Policy Model, and Interest Group Policy Model. He uses cuban crisis as a case study to analyze foreign policy models.
My Sixth Day of Class (Wars)
The title of today's class is 'why do states fight wars?'
Wars and peace are central concerns in IR.
Realism would answer for the question as follows.....
The causes of wars are:
●Anarchy and self-help system
●Break of Balance of Power in the international system
●Security dilemma
The solutions for wars are:
●Maintain Balance of Power
●Derrerrance
Liberalism would answer as follows......
The causes of wars are:
●Domestic politics
●Failour/lack of democracy and cooperative regimes
The solutions for wars are:
●Cooperation under security dilemma
●Iterated interaction
●international institutions
Marxism would answer as follows........
The causes of wars are:
●Competition over leardership of global economy
●The legacy of colonialism (North-South relations and wars)
●Civil wars and humanitarian intervention
●State failure, terrorism, drug wars
●The export of arms
The solution for wars is:
●Delink from capitalism
Constructivism would answer as follows.......
The causes of wars are:
●Aggresive norms
●Misperception/Misunderstanding
●identity conflict
The solutions for wars is:
●Positive intersubjective understanding
Defineing the causes are very important to solve the problems. Each theory help us to get closer to the truth.
Wars and peace are central concerns in IR.
Realism would answer for the question as follows.....
The causes of wars are:
●Anarchy and self-help system
●Break of Balance of Power in the international system
●Security dilemma
The solutions for wars are:
●Maintain Balance of Power
●Derrerrance
Liberalism would answer as follows......
The causes of wars are:
●Domestic politics
●Failour/lack of democracy and cooperative regimes
The solutions for wars are:
●Cooperation under security dilemma
●Iterated interaction
●international institutions
Marxism would answer as follows........
The causes of wars are:
●Competition over leardership of global economy
●The legacy of colonialism (North-South relations and wars)
●Civil wars and humanitarian intervention
●State failure, terrorism, drug wars
●The export of arms
The solution for wars is:
●Delink from capitalism
Constructivism would answer as follows.......
The causes of wars are:
●Aggresive norms
●Misperception/Misunderstanding
●identity conflict
The solutions for wars is:
●Positive intersubjective understanding
Defineing the causes are very important to solve the problems. Each theory help us to get closer to the truth.
8/04/2008
My Fifth Day of Class (Constructivism)
7/31 (Thu)
Today is the final day for learning IR theories. Today we covered Constructivism.
Its main arguments are:
●Reality is not given but socially constructed
●Ideas/Identity mattes the most
●Our language is important - reflect our ideas
●Our perspective not only shapes how and what we see, but the meaning we take
from it
●The Sneetches, by Dr. Seuss
●Emphasize culture, norms, ideas, identity, socialization, ideology,
language,cognition over utility
●Shared ideas, norms, ets can promote cooperatioin
In summary, constructivism claims that reality is constructed by our ideas or perceptions. For example, let's think about international system which realism and liberalism call it 'anarchy.' Constructivism believes that 'anarchical' international system was created by us. It did not preexist. Because we think other countries are not reliable and fearful, we perceive the world as anarchy.
Constructivism analyzes international issues focusing on how ideas affects on them.
Today is the final day for learning IR theories. Today we covered Constructivism.
Its main arguments are:
●Reality is not given but socially constructed
●Ideas/Identity mattes the most
●Our language is important - reflect our ideas
●Our perspective not only shapes how and what we see, but the meaning we take
from it
●The Sneetches, by Dr. Seuss
●Emphasize culture, norms, ideas, identity, socialization, ideology,
language,cognition over utility
●Shared ideas, norms, ets can promote cooperatioin
In summary, constructivism claims that reality is constructed by our ideas or perceptions. For example, let's think about international system which realism and liberalism call it 'anarchy.' Constructivism believes that 'anarchical' international system was created by us. It did not preexist. Because we think other countries are not reliable and fearful, we perceive the world as anarchy.
Constructivism analyzes international issues focusing on how ideas affects on them.
My Forth Day of Class (Marxism)
7/30(Wed)
Marxism is the third theory for me to learn in the course. Marxism mainly explains inequality in the world. For example, it can explain questions like 'why are there rich and poor people and states?' and 'how do we explain the poverty in the third world countries?.' The students in the class guessed that corruption, raw material export, capitalism, colonialism, ethnic conflicts, HIV/AIDS, and the system of world economy might be raised to explain the above questions.
First, let me show you the overview of Marxism in international relatioins.
●Classes drive politics
●Marckets are inherently exploitative, and produce class conflicts
●The state and its foreign policies reflect elite interests
●The expansion of marckets leads to colonialism
- International system is not anarchical but hierachical
- International conflicts are found in global economic competition
●Post-WWⅡprovides new forms of neo-colonialism
Marx believed in capitalist societies that classes determined by the mode of production are devided into the Bourgeosie and the Proletariat. The Bourgeosis has its land and capital to product. In contrary, the Proletariat has nothing but its labor to make ends meet. Thus, the Bourgeosis exploits the Proletariat, which creat a hierarchical society. Applying this Marxism to international system, Marxism in international relations considers that world can be divided between 'Core' and 'Periphery' states. In this system, it is believed that 'Core' states such as the U.S, the Europian countries, and Japan expoit 'Perophery' states such as the African countries, the Asian countries, and the Latin America countries. 'Core' states export manufactured goods to which high value added to 'Periphery' states which exports cheap raw materials and labor to which low value added. Between two sides, there exists uneven terms of trade which yields inequality in the world.
Marxism is the third theory for me to learn in the course. Marxism mainly explains inequality in the world. For example, it can explain questions like 'why are there rich and poor people and states?' and 'how do we explain the poverty in the third world countries?.' The students in the class guessed that corruption, raw material export, capitalism, colonialism, ethnic conflicts, HIV/AIDS, and the system of world economy might be raised to explain the above questions.
First, let me show you the overview of Marxism in international relatioins.
●Classes drive politics
●Marckets are inherently exploitative, and produce class conflicts
●The state and its foreign policies reflect elite interests
●The expansion of marckets leads to colonialism
- International system is not anarchical but hierachical
- International conflicts are found in global economic competition
●Post-WWⅡprovides new forms of neo-colonialism
Marx believed in capitalist societies that classes determined by the mode of production are devided into the Bourgeosie and the Proletariat. The Bourgeosis has its land and capital to product. In contrary, the Proletariat has nothing but its labor to make ends meet. Thus, the Bourgeosis exploits the Proletariat, which creat a hierarchical society. Applying this Marxism to international system, Marxism in international relations considers that world can be divided between 'Core' and 'Periphery' states. In this system, it is believed that 'Core' states such as the U.S, the Europian countries, and Japan expoit 'Perophery' states such as the African countries, the Asian countries, and the Latin America countries. 'Core' states export manufactured goods to which high value added to 'Periphery' states which exports cheap raw materials and labor to which low value added. Between two sides, there exists uneven terms of trade which yields inequality in the world.
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