LAPS/POLS XXXXXXXXXXB Fall XXXXXXXXXX Theory Assignment Seeing International Politics through the Lenses of Theory Due date: November 24 on Eclass no later than 11:59 pm Grade value: 20% The course...

political philosophy


LAPS/POLS 2201 3.0 B Fall 2021-22 Theory Assignment Seeing International Politics through the Lenses of Theory Due date: November 24 on Eclass no later than 11:59 pm Grade value: 20% The course text presents several major theoretical lenses that have been used to understand world politics. Each of these lenses directs attention to different actors, problems, dynamics, causes and effects. Each is also necessarily a simplification of reality, highlighting a part of world politics in order to describe and explain key patterns and predict behaviour and outcomes. In this exercise, you will review these lenses and how they highlight different aspects of world politics, paying special attention to the events and explanations they emphasize. Review the Concepts: In preparation for writing your paper, review the main features of Liberalism, Realism, Radicalism and Constructivism, using the summary tables on pages 79, 83, 92, and 94 (Mingst text) as a point of departure for the more thorough description in the text. (You do not have to write anything from this part in your paper) I. Finding Patterns and Explanations: Next, review chapter 2 in the Mingst text and its historical overview of world politics. Note that it is divided into historical periods: pre-Westphalia; Westphalia; nineteenth-century Europe; Interwar and World War II; The Cold War; the Immediate Post–Cold War Era; The New Millennium. For the first part of the written assignment, identify the key actors, events and dynamics that you believe each theoretical lens would highlight for each of these historical periods. Feel free to copy and paste the grid into your document. Note that the grid below is a template and you should enlarge the boxes to fit a larger amount of text in your submission (2-3 pages) Historical Period Realism Liberalism Radicalism Constructivism Westphalia 19th Century Europe Interwar and WWII Cold War Immediate Post-Cold War The New Millennium II. Conclusions and Implications: Referring back to your completed grid, answer the following questions. You should justify and defend your answers and refer to several actual historical or current events in international politics. (2-3 pages, 1.5 spaced, 12 pt. font) · What behaviour does each theory explain best? · What behaviour does each theory miss? · Is there a “best” theory? Why or why not? · What conclusions can you draw about IR theory as it helps us to understand world politics? Submission of Assignments Assignments must be submitted on Eclass by November 24 no later than 11:59 pm Late Penalties Late assignments will receive a penalty deduction of 5% per day (including weekends). Contact your TA regarding submission of Late assignments Page 1 of 2