This course analyzes the role of international organizations in world politics and claims that challenges the notion that states are the dominant actors in world politics. Cold War hopes for a more peaceful and stable world have been threatened by complex international problems that state-centered solutions alone may be unable to address. In fact, states are unwilling or unable to address many transnational issues, which are currently being addressed by a range of international organizations. Throughout the course we will examine whether international organizations have become important players in the international arena, especially in helping to alleviate or further exacerbate transnational problems, such as the proliferation and use of conventional weapons, environment degradation, human rights violations and massive refugee flows induced by political state implosion.
The course introduces graduate students to the roles of international organizations in major transnational issues affecting international society. The course broadens the definition of international security to include non-military transnational problems, such as the environment, human rights and the global economy. It also investigates the processes of changes in international relations including the roles of technology, media, and the communication and diplomatic revolutions. Other processes that will be investigated are the increasing proliferation and influence of international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), their relations with interstate organizations, such as the United Nations, and the role of NGOs in creating and implementing international norms. Case studies will be studied to encourage students to better understand the relationship of states and international organizations. The intention is to prepare students to pursue further study of international organizations and a range of transnational issues affecting international relations. Cases that will be investigated and discussed are the role of international organizations, including NGOs, in international security, protecting the environment, promoting human rights, caring for internally displaced populations and refugees, and saving failed states. The course will also study UN peacekeeping operations through student presentations and papers.