The aim of this course is to understand and explain why and how the international system is characterized
by the return of a tough competition among states. That is what we call Power politics. This dynamic is reflected in the return of inter-state conflicts (Russia/Ukraine, Iran/Israel) and the risk of their spreading to other regions (Taiwan, South China Sea).
The central question addressed in this course from both a conceptual and empirical perspective is why we moved within a decade from a world of economic interdependence based on the decline of interstate wars to a world where states are on the forefront of global competition including through the weaponization of economic interdependence.
This course is by definition transversal and trans regional since the competition affects all regions of the world.
It will focus on three types of actors: the drivers of this new competition who are setting the new rules of the game ( US and China) , the contenders who have global ambitions while facing obstacles on their way ( Russia, India and the EU) and the Hedgers who are middle income countries who are trying to leverage this new global dynamic for their own benefit ( Brazil, South Africa, UAE, Indonesia and Vietnam among others).
Maria Laura LISBOA,Zaki LAIDI
Cours magistral seul
English
The course requires no special prior knowledge, but a strong motivation for international relations. It does require a certain amount of reading for each session.
Spring 2024-2025
A taken home mid term Paper, based on a collective work by six students (6000 words). This exam will account for 40% of the final grade.
A final exam during the last session. It will last two hours and account for 50% of the final grade.
Participation will count for the remaining 10%
John Mearsheimer, the Tragedy of great power politics, introduction , Norton 2014, pp1-28
For each session students will have to read at least on article or one book chapter. They will also use other references in the bibliography for their taken home and final exam.