2025/2026
Идеологии войны и мира в ХХ веке
Статус:
Маго-лего
Кто читает:
Департамент истории
Где читается:
Санкт-Петербургская школа гуманитарных наук и искусств
Когда читается:
3 модуль
Охват аудитории:
для всех кампусов НИУ ВШЭ
Преподаватели:
Янг Перри Иви
Язык:
английский
Кредиты:
3
Контактные часы:
28
Course Syllabus
Abstract
Carl von Clausewitz famously defined war as the continuation of politics by violent means. The twentieth century witnessed not only the most destructive wars in human history, but also the rise and global spread of modern political ideologies. This course explores how competing ideologies of war and peace in the twentieth century shaped both the politics and practice of war, as well as national and international efforts to overcome it.
Militaristic and pacifistic ideologies emerged on both the political Left and Right and in a wide range of national and regional contexts. These ideologies did not develop in isolation; they interacted, clashed, and synthesized across the political spectrum and across borders to profoundly impact the trajectory of twentieth-century history.
Positioned at the intersection of philosophy, political history, and military history, this course begins with an introduction to the concept of ideology in historical studies, then examines the philosophical roots of modern ideologies of war and peace in the works of Kant, Hegel, and Herder. Building on this foundation, we will proceed to analyze left- and right-wing, militaristic and pacifistic ideologies in Germany, Russia, Sweden, the United States, Great Britain, Africa, and Latin America – placing them in dialogue to illuminate the reciprocal relation between ideology, politics, and military practice.
Learning Objectives
- - To deepen students’ understanding of the origins, development, and interaction of ideologies of war and peace across the political spectrum and in diverse global contexts.
- - To acquaint students with a variety of historiographical perspectives and methodological approaches for analyzing ideology in historical context.
- - To develop students’ ability to apply analytical and theoretical frameworks to understand and interpret the ideas that shaped real-word conflicts and peace movements.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- - To trace the philosophical roots of modern debates on war and peace, evaluate their transformation over time, and compare ideologies across political camps and global regions.
- - To familiarize students with philosophical, historical, and methodological approaches to the study of ideologies of war and peace.
- - To equip students to conduct independent research on critical questions of war, peace, and ideology that continue to shape modern history.
Course Contents
- Introduction to Ideology and Ideology of War
- Kantian Ideology of Peace
- Hegelian Ideologies of War
- Herder’s National Ideology of Peace
- Ideologies of War and Peace in Germany
- Ideologies of War and Peace in Russia
- Ideologies of War and Peace in Sweden
- Ideologies of War and Peace in the United States and Great Britain
- Ideology of War and Peace in the Global South
- The Cold War
Assessment Elements
- SeminarsStudents are expected to take active part in the discussion and demonstrate knowledge of the content of lectures and readings. Participation is assessed based on preparation, engagement, and the quality of contributions to collective analysis and debate. Students who miss a seminar may compensate by submitting a short written essay (2–3 pages) based on the required texts for the missed session. The essay should address: 1. The main arguments and positions presented in the readings. 2. How these arguments contribute to understanding the ideologies of war and peace within the relevant philosophical context or region.
- Leading In-Class DiscussionEach student will be responsible for leading discussion for one seminar. The dates and topics will be assigned during the first week. As discussion leader, the student will deliver a concise (5-minute) introduction to the week’s readings, prepare a set of discussion questions in advance, and guide discussion for the first 40 minutes of class. This assignment is an opportunity to develop students’ ability to lead text-based discussions that will prepare them for future teaching roles and scholarly dialogue.
- Final examThe final exam will be administered in class during the final scheduled session (120 minutes). It will consist of short essay questions (one or more paragraphs each) addressing key themes discussed throughout the course. Students are expected to reference course literature by title and author and demonstrate a clear understanding of key arguments, concepts, debates, and comparisons discussed in the course. Page numbers are not required. Exams must be taken in person; no online or remote options are available.
Interim Assessment
- 2025/2026 3rd module0.3 * Final exam + 0.2 * Leading In-Class Discussion + 0.5 * Seminars
