Modern International Relations An Elective Social Science Course for Loudoun County Public Schools Loudoun County Public Schools Ashburn, Virginia 2014
Modern International Relations The United States today is said to be the most powerful nation on Earth, the world's only superpower; its president, Barack Obama, the most powerful leader. And yet, the United States is often frustrated when trying to carry out its will in any number of critical areas around the globe. Security in the Middle East, trade relations with China, humanitarian aid in Haiti, political and economic development in Africa, drug trafficking and border security with Mexico are but a few problems facing America at the moment. Of course, the U.S. does not face these problems alone, but every nation including the U.S. brings its own perspective, background, and experience to the table. That table can be set at the United Nations, at a gathering of the World Trade Organization, or at an unofficial meeting of a former President, Jimmy Carter, with leaders of North Korea. This course will attempt to make sense of today's world by looking at the relations between peoples over time--an evolutionary process beginning with city-states and empires, moving on to nations and more empires, and on to our current situation. Understanding the dreams, desires, and ambitions of peoples throughout history and how they have interacted with each other is a complex undertaking. In the first unit of this course, the complexity will be broken down by an examination of basic facts found in the world's current political, geographic, and economic situation. Basically, we want to understand what the world looks like today. The second unit will examine the past. The concept of maintaining a balance of power among nations has been a fundamental characteristic of international relations. The primary actors may change and how they choose to ally or break with each other may shift, but keeping any one power from becoming dominant was for a very long time seen as a way of securing stability. History has also shown that empires can come to dominate regions of the world. Rome and China showed this could be done over centuries. Others, like Napoleon's France or Hitler's Nazi Germany, would be short-lived yet have enormous and devastating consequences. How pre-eminent powers and other nations talk to and relate to each other set the stage for a later turn of events. In the third unit, the course will take us through events that have signaled a transition from an older historical pattern as described above to our current situation. Today's world is highly technological. Communication is instantaneous and individuals with a cell phone can both inform and influence events on the other side of the globe. As the journalist and author Thomas Friedman has said, "The world is flat." Globalization is the key descriptor for the interplay of politics and economics in this flat world. Many of the old players are still around but several new ones, notably Brazil, Russia, India, and China are seeking to play a more major role. The last unit will draw on the previous three to delve into the future of international relations. How will the global community nations, international organizations (political, economic, humanitarian) address the pressing issues facing us now and into the coming decades? *Many thanks go to Ting-Yi Oei for his careful thought and organization that made the creation of this curriculum possible.
Modern International Relations
General Resources: LCPS: Library Media Services, Research Databases. Teachers should investigate the online research services provided by LCPS. One example: the site below provides a current world dilemma (How has foreign intervention affected the situation in the Middle East?) with several perspectives for consideration. http://worldhistory.abc-clio.com/analyze/display/1184030?cid=12 Wadsworth International Resource Center http://www.wadsworth.com/politicalscience_d/special_features/ext/ir/ Politics & International Relations Online Resource Centres http://www.oup.com/uk/orc/politics/ Center for International Policy http://www.ciponline.org/ Carnegie Endowment for International Peace http://carnegieendowment.org/ Thomas L. Friedman, The World is Flat, Picador Books, New York, 2007. ISBN 0312425074
MODERN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, UNIT I: WHAT IS THE CURRENT SITUATION? At the end of this unit, students will be able to: 1. Identify countries and regions of the world by location using longitude and latitude--and by significant physical and cultural geographical terms such as size, population, topography, ethnic and linguistic characteristics, and religion. 2. Demonstrate understanding of how physical and cultural geography can influence relations between the peoples and nations of the world. 3. Define regions of the world in political, economic, and strategic terms; explain what unites and divides peoples and countries within those regions. 4. Interpret and discuss demographic characteristics of significant countries and regions of the world. 5. Identify the main sources of conflict and division among peoples, nations, and regions of the world at present. Compare and contrast these issues to ones that existed 50 years ago, 100 years ago. 6. Explain with examples how movements and actions of individuals or small groups can bring about massive changes internationally. Use both historic and contemporary examples.
MODERN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, UNIT I: WHAT IS THE CURRENT SITUATION?
I. WHAT IS THE CURRENT SITUATION? ---WHAT DANGERS AND OPPORTUNITIES ARE PRESENTED BY THE PRESENT GLOBAL CONFIGURATION OF DIFFUSED POWER? Diffused Power-- 1. REGIONS (SUB REGIONS) Europe What will become of the EU? Will divisions between Germany/France on one side, and Greece, Italy, Portugal on the other fracture the union? Will Russia s energy resources influence the development of Europe? North Africa & Middle East Will regimes make successful transitions to democratic systems? Will Iran, Israel, and Saudi Arabia maintain peace? Can statehood be achieved for Palestine? Central and Southern Africa Will ethnic differences continue to aggravate economic disparities in places such as Sudan, Uganda, and Rwanda? Will international organizations be needed to help? And will they do so? South Asia How will ethnic and religious differences affect political power competition between India and Pakistan? Can Pakistan, India, and the U.S. develop constructive relationships? Can Afghanistan achieve stability and cohesion? Will Central Asian nations move out of poverty and authoritarianism? Will they develop stronger ties with Russia? East Asia Can China, Russia, Japan and the US manage their difficult Korean relationships in a way that supports and preserves Korean independence? How will China and Japan relate to each other given the intensified economic competition? Can Japan meet the difficult challenges of economics and nuclear power on an unstable geologic land mass? Southeast Asia Can the nations of SE Asia continue to develop toward free and open political and economic systems? Will human rights continue to advance especially for women and children in countries like Myanmar and Viet Nam? Can the US and China reach a stable economic competition in the South China Sea and South Pacific? The Americas Will Brazil continue to develop into an economic engine for the region and the world? Will Free Trade be advanced to include more than Canada, the US, and Mexico based on agreements made with Colombia and others? Will Cuba develop an open economy in a post Castro era? Can Haiti recover from poverty and devastation with the help of American neighbors?
2. DATA Population figures Religion 3. RELATIONS Internal Within Regions External Resources: Institute for Policy Studies: http://www.ips dc.org/ Israel Council for Peace and Security: http://www.peace-security-council.org International Crisis Group http://www.crisisgroup.org/
MODERN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, UNIT II: WHAT HAS BEEN THE HISTORICAL INTERNATIONAL SITUATION? At the end of this unit, students will be able to: 1. Explain the term "balance of power" both in historic and in contemporary times. (How relevant is the term "balance of power" in today's world? Does it have more meaning within particular regions than it does globally?) 2. Identify the characteristics of ancient empires of the past (Rome, China, India, Byzantine ). Compare and contrast the factors that contributed to the rise and decline of empires. 3. Discuss examples of empire building in more modern times: Napoleonic France, Colonialism and Imperialism of Western Powers, Hitler's German Reich, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). 4. Articulate and discuss various positions and arguments about the role and influence of the United States in global affairs today. 5. Offer interpretations of what it means to be a "superpower": the characteristics, responsibilities, and limitations of a nation with that designation. 6. Demonstrate how diplomacy, military power, and economic pressure each in its own way can affect international relationships.
MODERN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, UNIT II. WHAT HAS BEEN THE HISTORICAL INTERNATIONAL SITUATION?
II. WHAT HAS BEEN THE HISTORICAL INTERNATIONAL SITUATION? IN WHAT WAYS HAS THE CURRENT INTERNATIONAL SITUATION BEEN CREATED BY POWER EQUATIONS OF THE PAST? 1. BALANCE OF POWER (INCREASED LEVEL OF ANALYSIS) Athens, Sparta Spain, Britain, Colonial Expansion Congress of Vienna, 1815 Post WW II: US USSR 2. IMPERIAL POWER (INCREASED LEVEL OF ANALYSIS) Rome China Ottoman Britain United States? Resources: The Avalon Project in Law History and Diplomacy: Link to 20 th c. documents: http://avalon.law.yale.edu/subject_menus/20th.asp See LCPS Online Resources: The following link is entitled: Was September 11, 2001, the Result of U.S. Imperialism? http://go-passport.grolier.com/page?tn=/newsnow/edesk.php&id=go-d20060612-1 Hans J. Morgenthau, Politics Among Nations: The Struggle for Power and Peace, 2006 (Seventh Edition), McGraw-Hill, New York.
MODERN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, UNIT III: HOW AND WHY DID WE TRANSITION TO THE NEW INTERNATIONAL SITUATION? At the end of this unit, students will be able to: 1. Describe key events in the past that may be seen as turning points towards the world's current situation. Analyze how those events changed relationships or introduced new factors into the way nations interact with each other. 2. Explain what is meant by "Globalization" and its impact on international affairs. Identify international banking institutions by what they do and assess their effectiveness in dealing with economic development around the world. 3. Assess the role and effectiveness of the United Nations in addressing human rights, global economic problems and international political crises. 4. Identify other organizational entities, both "permanent" (like NATO) and ad hoc groups (like the BRIC nations or the nations in the Six Party Talks re North Korea), and what motivates them to act together in areas of political and economic concern or crisis. 5. Identify significant non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the role they play in international affairs and specific events or crises. (Areas to consider include: Darfur 6. Describe what role regional organizations play in matters of economics, stabilizing political conditions (peacekeeping), bringing about social change, or seeking to keep order within their region. 7. Assess the position that democratic principles are increasingly emerging around the world. Cite evidence for or against this position.
MODERN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, UNIT III: HOW AND WHY DID WE TRANSITION TO THE NEW INTERNATIONAL SITUATION?
III. HOW AND WHY DID WE TRANSITION TO THE NEW INTERNATIONAL SITUATION? 1. TO A SPLINTERED, MULTI FACETED POWER SITUATION? Role of the end of the Cold War and dissolution of the USSR and Communist Camp The new availability of technology and the effects of the world wide web Who can have power now? US, China, India, N. Korea, Caucusus, Central Asia, North Africa, Middle East 2. TO AN INTEGRATED, INCREASINGLY DIVERSE ECONOMIC SITUATION? World Bank, International Monetary Fund See www.worldbank.org and www.imf.org/external/index.htm FLAT World: Effects of availability of technological tools, Supply Chaining EU, BRIC countries, ASEAN, NAFTA, offshoring and Free Trade Zones Organization of American States, African Union, NATO Resources: The Brookings Institution: http://www.brookings.edu/ RAND Corporation: Web site for the global think tank RAND Corporation.. www.rand.org European Union: http://europa.eu/index_en.htm See LCPS Online Resources: The following link is entitled: Has NAFTA Cost the United States Jobs? (Pro-Con subsection, includes lesson plan): http://go-passport.grolier.com/page?tn=/newsnow/edesk.php&id=go-d20050425-1
MODERN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, UNIT IV: WHAT ARE THE ISSUES OF THE FUTURE INTERNATIONAL SITUATION? At the end of this unit, students will be able to: 1. Identify the main sources of conflict and division among peoples, nations, and regions of the world at present. How have the players (nations) and issues changed from 50 years ago? 100 years ago? 2. Provide examples of terrorism today and in the past. Evaluate the success or failure of terrorist tactics both in the short and long-term. Identify any changes in circumstances that make terrorism today significantly different than in the past. 3. Explain, as in the case of Afghanistan today (or Vietnam in the past), why military strength alone cannot always determine the outcome of a particular situation. 4. Explain with examples how movements and actions of even individuals or small groups can bring about massive changes internationally. Use both historic and contemporary examples. 5. Assess the role of modern technology and communications in conducting international relations politically and economically. (When news of events reaches the public faster than it does government or business leaders?) 6. Explain possible reasons for the growing disparity between the have and have-not nations of the world and describe some of the possible consequences of the disparity. 7. Describe how issues like education, women s rights, and health care affect relations between nations. 8. Provide explanations for why various approaches to spur economic development in underdeveloped areas have either failed or succeeded in the post World War II world. 9. Analyze the potential impact of international monetary policy on dealing with specific problems--global markets and emerging economies. 10. Identify and explain some of the basic economic factors used in the contemporary world to measure economic conditions and growth.
MODERN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, UNIT IV: WHAT ARE THE ISSUES OF THE FUTURE INTERNATIONAL SITUATION?
Unit IV: What are the issues of the future international situation? Will Diffusion continue? 1. SECURITY 2. ECONOMICS Nuclear, WMD "Terrorism" Cyber security Areas to consider include: Israeli-Palestinian conflict; Middle East and North Africa; North and South Korea; India and Pakistan. What are: GDP, Human Development Index, UN Development Program, composite index for life expectancy, education and GDP per capita, labor force, population growth, health care, infant mortality 3. CULTURE FLAT World Debt Consider Greece, Ireland, as well as developing nations. What is the World Trade Organization? (WTO)-- Identify organizations, nations, and individuals who challenge its policies and explain their objections and concerns. See www.wto.org/ and www.gloablexchange.org/campaigns/wto/opposewto/html Poverty and disparities between rich and poor What role do education and technology play? Emerging economies Development in South and Central America, Africa, Asia Religion Increased Ethnic Contacts
Resources: North Atlantic Treaty Organization: http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/index.htm The Peace Corps: http://peacecorps.gov Médicins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders): http://www.msf.org/ Amnesty International: http://www.amnesty.org/ Al Jazeera: http://english.aljazeera.net/homepage