Global Politics

What will the global political landscape look like in the next 10, 25, 50 years? Which countries will dominate the political order? Will there be any dominant Superpowers, or will power be distributed among a variety of nations? In this course, students examine the shifting role of government as the world becomes more interconnected through global trade, communication, and travel. Historical theories of international relations are contrasted with new theories that attempt to describe the complex interdependence between countries. What strategies do nation-states employ to advance their global interests? How do nation-states and international organizations interact? What is global governance? In addition to answering these questions, this course also focuses on the changing role of people, of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and of multinational businesses in this interconnected world.