DAFF 25A48 - UNPK : Theory & Practice

This course is a 12 week seminar based on a theoretical analysis of some of the most important issues in UN peace operations and on case studies. The objective of the course is to examine the problems and possibilities of peace operations conducted by the United Nations. Throughout the Cold War, the United Nations undertook a small number of Traditional Peacekeeping Missions (PK) that helped to bring peace and security to some war torn regions. Most of those missions were small and basically uncontroversial (except Congo). No ambitious operations could be undertaken politically because Cold War antagonisms prevented the Security Council from approving ambitious interventions — the Security Council was politically deadlocked by the possibility of the use of the veto by one of its five permanent members. In the early 1990’s, just after the Cold War ended, there was a huge growth in the number of peacekeeping missions undertaken by the UN. Most of new post-Cold War missions were much more ambitious than traditional peacekeeping missions - often called “Second-Generation Peacekeeping.” Students should be warned from the beginning that the epistemological approach adopted by the professor is “problem-solving” or “mainstream” rather than “critical”. The class is based on an “empirical” approach, not a “normative” one. It focuses on what is politically feasible, with what is possible… not on how things “should be”. The goal is thus to link the study of UNPK with the realities of modern politics. The perspective adopted by the instructor is what Max Weber was calling “the ethic of responsibility” rather than the “the ethic of conviction” even though the two are not mutually exclusive. That’s why terms like “must” and “should” tend to be avoided as well as moral indignation. In other words, the theories used to examine UNPK are mostly Realism (Classical, Structural), Liberalism and Constructivism. Those looking for a post-structural/critical analysis will be disappointed. The class aims at criticizing but not rejecting UNPK.

A basic knowledge of international relations

• An Oral Presentation (exposé) (40% of the grade) An outline of the presentation is required for the professor.
• A Final In-Class Exam (50% of the grade). during the last class of the session (between 1,800 and 2,000 Words). No electronic devices authorized only printed materiel.
• Class Participation & Discussion (10% of the grade). Your online participation in this class is extremely important. As such, class participation will constitute 10% of your final grade. The class participation grade will derive from regular attendance and discussion and analysis. Please be aware that skipping class (unexcused absences) will impact your grade in this area.