SOCS 625
Managing International Relations in a Complex World: International Organization in the Modern Age
Giulio Gallarotti
| Course Description |
| In the modern world of the global village, nations can no longer use their boundaries to isolate themselves from problems in the world at large. Technology and globalization have made the planet a very intimate place indeed. In such an environment, solving global problems has become ever more crucial as the spreading web of interdependence ties the fate of nations closely together. Nations have increasingly attempted to manage this interdependence collectively through the use of international organizations. In some cases these organizations have been hailed as the very foundation for building an international system based on law and order (the United Nations), while in other cases these organizations have been vilified as the instruments of imperialism (International Monetary Fund and World Bank). This course represents a systematic study of these organizations: their structures, impact, successes, and failures. Emphasis will be placed on analyzing competing theories of international organization and evaluating the performance of these institutions in today's most important international issue‑areas: security, trade, money, economic development, food aid, human rights, and the environment. In addition, the class will participate in a simulated diplomatic bargaining session on current international issues. |
| Assignments |
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The final grade will be based on two 8‑page research papers on topics to be handed out during the semester, and participation (each will count for one-third). The first paper is due on or before March 24 . The final paper will be due on or before April 5. The format of the course will be principally discussion. Each class will be preceded by a handout which will help you prepare for the discussion. |
| Readings |
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All readings on this syllabus are required, unless stated otherwise. The readings will be available in a packet from Minuteman Press (call 347-5700 to reserve a copy). Many of the readings other than the texts will also be on electronic reserve, which can be accessed from the library homepage. The following books will serve as texts for the course, and are recommended for purchase at the Atticus book store: Lawrence Ziring, Robert Riggs and Jack Plano, The United Nations, 3rd Edition (if 3rd isn’t available, buy the 4th edition) Michael Oldstone, Viruses, Plagues and History UNA‑USA, A Global Agenda: Issues Before the 59th General Assembly of the United Nations |
| International Organization as a Force for Peace and Stability |
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International organization (IO) is a fairly recent phenomenon. The last 100 years have seen the growth of international governmental organizations (IGOs) and international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) from very few to over 800 and 8,000 respectively. Much debate has gone on over the origins and nature of this new means of managing interdependence among nations. But even more attention has gravitated around the issue of the effects of international organization. A cursory reading of the daily press will show that the world is far from a federated system of nations being governed by powerful organizations like the UN. We see that issues are much discussed in these international fora, but the resolutions (which themselves are never ubiquitous) are infrequently binding in an absolute sense. We also see that the laws and norms of these organizations are rarely enforced. These circumstances lead many (both cynics and non‑cynics) to conclude that international organization is not a central player in international politics. And when it does make an impact, it is at a very low level of salience (i.e., IOs are given more power over less politicized issues such as transportation and communication). This view is compelling, but hardly unproblematic. It assumes that the impact of an actor is proportional to its involvement in a situation and its ability to influence other actors in that same situation. However, in international politics, as in social relations in general, this is not the case. Sometimes very small functions can generate great influence over outcomes. How many wars has the discussion which has gone on in the UN prevented? How many revolutions has the economic aid of the IMF and World Bank prevented? Considering the fact that many international crises are ignited by very small incidents (e.g., the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand), very small functions which are normally played by IOs may very well generate a disproportionate impact on international relations. Hence, in this case, small might very well carry a big impact (e.g., "for want of a horse, my kingdom was lost"). This is an important consideration when judging the effectiveness of IO in solving the principal problems of international relations. Each function which is intended to stabilize some set of relations must be carefully scrutinized independently of its scope and direct impact. Of central importance is the idea of preventive maintenance, or what we can call "solving international problems at the root." Peace can be preserved by direct and indirect means. A direct means might be a collective security system where a group of nations rises up against an perceived aggressor. An indirect means may be the avoidance of war by improving the economic conditions of poorer countries (e.g., providing them with the resources they would otherwise be forced to take by war). No complete judgment of the success of international organization in specific issue‑areas is possible without sensitivity to all the complex effects. Sometimes, such a judgment might be facilitated by indulging in counter‑factuals: e.g., how would this event have turned out differently without U.N. intervention? There are many issues on the world diplomatic agenda, and all of them are being influenced by international organizations. This creates both a complex and challenging array of cases for those interested in understanding international organization. |
| Course Outline |
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1. INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION AND INTERNATIONAL POLITICS A. Theoretical Traditions of International Politics Art and Jervis, International Politics, pps. 2‑7 B. The Structure and Functions of the U.N.: Building a World Government The class will watch a documentary, "The UN” The film highlights the structures and roles of the United Nations Ziring, Riggs and Plano, The United Nations, Chapters Chapters 1,2,3 Harold Jacobson, Networks, Chapter 4 2. MANAGING GLOBAL ISSUES A. The Collective Management of International Security Ziring, Riggs and Plano, The United Nations, Chapters 5-7 B. Managing Economic Stability Ziring, Riggs and Plano, The United Nations, Chapter 10 (not in 4th edition) B.1. International Trade Relations Jock Finlayson and Mark Zacher, "GATT and the Regulation of Trade Barriers" International John Jackson, "The Crumbling Institutions of the Liberal Trade System" Journal of World Trade Law 12,2 (1978) John Jackson, “Managing the Trading System” in Kenen, ed., Managing the World Economy B.2. International Monetary Relations The class will watch the documentary "One World, One Economy." The film explores C. Global Hunger and Food Aid Raymond Hopkins, "Reform in the International Food Aid Regime: The Role of Consensual Knowledge" International Organization 46 (Winter 1992) D. The Collective Management of Development D.1. The Nature of Underdevelopment Ziring, Riggs and Plano, The United Nations, Chapter 11 (Chapter 10 in 4th edition) D.2. Solving the Problem Through Aid Frances Moore Lappe, et. al., Aid as Obstacle, Chapters 1,3,5,9,11,18 First Paper Due March 24 Mar 24,31 Simulated North‑South bargaining sessions in UNCTAD: instructions and background materials will be distributed before the first meeting E. Confronting the Problem of International Human Rights G. Managing Global Health Final Paper Due May 5 PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSION OF RESEARCH PROJECTS |