ASPO 25A23 - International Wars and Conflicts

This course will examine some fundamental questions about the nature of wars and conflicts in international politics. War remains a recurrent phenomenon. From Ethiopia to Ukraine, weapons are fired, and people are killed. Is war a part of human nature or is it a social invention? Are democracies less prone to fight than authoritarian regimes? Is war an unavoidable consequence of anarchy, and if so, what is the role of human agency? What factors contribute to conflict among nations, how have these factors changed over time? Is the nuclear shadow back in our contemporary international security? Has the window of humanitarian operations been closed? Can we speak of “new wars” in the 21st century, and if so, why? We will try to answer some of these questions through an interdisciplinary perspective, incorporating insights from political science, anthropology, psychology, and history. With these elements, the course will attempt to better understand our current international environment.

Eric REPETTO,Jean-Yves HAINE

Cours magistral seul

English

Autumn 2023-2024

1) Op-Ed papers (40%) You will have to write two editorial columns, as if you were a foreign affairs columnist for a national newspaper. The aim is to translate academic arguments into an opinion that may be read by a general audience. It is thus an opportunity to link theoretical developments to current events. The piece should be 700 words maximum, without any reference. I want your opinion on an issue. I will give you a topic and you will have to submit your paper the week after, by bringing it to the next class. Late submission will receive a penalty of 2 points per day. 2) Final Exam (60%) It will have two parts. The first will be a Q. and A. on some concepts that have been developed in the course. The second part will be an essay. You will have to choose between two questions. You will be judged on the clarity of your writing and the pertinence of your arguments.