Major Theoretical Trends in the Study of International Relations

Postgraduate course 2019/2020

Type: Elective course

Area of studies: Political Science and Area Studies

Delivered by: School of International Affairs

When: 2 year, 1 semester

Mode of studies: offline

Instructors: Andrey Suzdaltsev

Language: English

ECTS credits: 4

Contact hours: 36

Full Syllabus

Abstract

This curriculum establishes minimum requirements for the knowledge and skills of a graduate student in the direction of training 41.06.01 Political science and regional studies, the educational program "Political sci-ence" and determines the content and types of educational activities and reporting. The program is designed for teachers conducting the discipline "The most important trends in the study of international relations", and graduate students in the direction of training the teacher-researcher enrolled in the educational program of the Graduate School of Political Science in the direction of training 41.06.01 Political science and regional studies

Learning Objectives

Acquaintance with the course "The most important trends in the study of international relations" will allow the graduate student to have an idea of the main methods and approaches in the study of internation-al topics that take into account the evolution dynamics of the system of international relations and the re-cent achievements of the theory of international relations

Expected Learning Outcomes

Calls fundamentals of the study of international relations
Defines the regulatory analysis in the study of interna-tional relations
Calls the main problems of the study of international relations
Calls the main methodological problems of the study of international relations
Describes the basics of economic analytics
Highlights major foreign methodological schools
Defines research methods of the influence of internal political processes on the formation of foreign policy
Formulates research methods of international elites
Formulates research methods of information wars

Course Contents

Fundamentals of the study of international relations
International relations as an object of study of political science. The range of concepts of international relations, their interdisciplinary nature. The problem of diversity and incompatibility of the main theories of international relations. Western philosophical and methodological theoretical directions in the study of in-ternational relations (paradigm). The problem of the lack of a universal theoretical and methodological basis of international relations. The reasons for the growth of influence in the 1990s are idealistic approaches to the analysis of interna-tional relations (constructivism). The main theories of constructivism and of value in the formation of mod-ern knowledge of the system of international relations. The development of constructivism at the beginning of the XXI century and its connection with classical realism. The influence of social constructivism on the analysis of international relations. The concept of "methodology". The structure of the methodology. The role of general scientific methods in the study of international relations.
The use of regulatory analysis in the study of interna-tional relations
Attraction of historical and applied methods as an integral part of the study of international relations. Objective limitations of historical and applied (actual) analysis. The problem of using professional and life experience in research into international relations as a basis for empirical analysis. Principles and criteria for the distinction between theoretical and applied studies of international relations. Empirical (theoretical) analysis is the use of the most general and objective criteria in the study of inter-national relations. Regulatory analysis - the study of subjective goals, values, norms used in the internation-al arena and research is the basis of scientific research. The combination and synthesis of empirical analysis and regulatory analysis for a realistic description of the main trends and processes in international relations. Expansion of the front of scientific research of foreign policy and international relations at the end of the 20th - beginning of the 21st century The development of regulatory analysis at the end of XX - early XXI century. Typology of regulatory analysis. Expert study of international relations. Typology of international experts. The impact of expert analysis on political decision-making in the international arena. Expansion and structuring of an expert community on international topics.
A systematic approach to the study of modern inter-national relations
The concept of "system" and its evolution at the end of the XX-beginning of the XXI century. The evo-lution of the system approach to international issues. The role of structural functionalism in the study of in-ternational relations. The current level of development of the general theory of systems. Classification of systems in international relations. Using a three-tier approach (system composition, internal and external structures) in the analysis of international relations. The role of the backbone element (factor) in the system of international relations. The role of communications / relations in the system of international relations. Evaluation of the political component of the system of international relations in modern research. Methods of studying the modern system of international relations. Changes in the internal structure of the system of international relations, the growing influence of the world economy on the system of interna-tional relations. Methodology for studying the impact of globalization and integration processes on the system of inter-national relations.
Methodological problems of research in international relations
Classification of problems of modern concepts of international relations from the point of view of politi-cal science: 1. Analysis of the interaction of state and non-state, national and transnational subject of international relations; 2. Studies of international relations from the standpoint of liberal theories; 3. Analysis of the interrelation of international relations with internal political processes, including politi-cal struggle for political and geopolitical orientation (choice), political destabilization and revolution, etc .; 4. Assessment of the role of foreign policy traditions, values and practices in modern international rela-tions; 5. Studies of the role of international law in the modern system of international relations; 6. Study of the role of the world economy in the development of the system of international relations; 7. Analysis of international conflicts as an aggregate and the result of political resonance of internal po-litical, economic and external factors; 8. Assessment of the distribution of the influence of countries on international relations and the determi-nation of the balance of power in the international arena. Problems of developing a methodology for researching existing structures and systems of international relations, international political organizations, maintaining stability of international security and interstate relations. Methods the formation of cost-benefit models from the interaction of various subjects of interna-tional relations. Influence of methodological problems of research on the development of the theory of in-ternational relations.
Basics of economic analysis of international relations
Growing attention to economic methods of analysis in the science of international relations since the late 20th century. Interdisciplinary research using the methodology of economics. The attractiveness of using economic analysis methods is the use of economic statistics, the formalization of conclusions, economic modeling. Renaissance political economy of international relations. Politicization of macroeconomics, the impact of macroeconomic analysis on the study of the system of international relations. The problem of including in studies of international relations an analysis of the evolution and regulation of the international monetary and financial system, international trade and trade blocs, the formation of new centers of economic devel-opment in the world, economic integration, world economic crises, etc.. The problem of determining the compatibility and interconnectedness of economic theory and the theory of international relations. The formation of international political economy, as a separate scientific direction in international rela-tions. The subject of the study of modern international political economy. The problem of determining the system of relations between politics and economics in the framework of international political economy. The question of economic and political interaction of countries in the international arena, as the basis of political and economic analysis. Study of the political aspects of economic interests of the subjects of the system of international relations.
Main methodological trends in foreign policy re-search
The problem of determining national needs and interests in modern conditions. The applicability of the concept of national interest H. Morgentau to modern research on international issues. Methodical approach-es to the study of the contradictions between state and public foreign policy interests, including under au-thoritarian political regimes. Changes in the structure of the institutional mechanism for the formation of the state’s foreign policy, the growing influence of the expert community and public organizations on the process of forming foreign policy. The problems of studying the influence of the dominant or state ideology on the foreign policy course. Modern variants of foreign policy ideologization. Methodical approaches to studying the growth of foreign policy militarization. The evolution of methodological approaches to material, informational and organizational resources. The growing importance of natural resources in the system of international relations. Information potential and its use in foreign policy. Scientific and ideological influence on the world stage. The growing influence of the organizational factor / resource on the position of the state in the interna-tional arena. Methods of analysis of foreign policy goals. The evolution of the formation of state objectives in the ex-ternal arena and their ideological justification. Methods for determining false, unattainable goals and identi-fying internal and external causes of their formation. The problem of predicting a change in geopolitical ori-entation. The evolution of foreign policy principles in the modern system of international relations. Methods of analysis of foreign policy ideology and foreign policy strategies. Modern methods of studying the foreign policy situation. Methodology of the analysis of foreign policy situations. Analysis of confrontational situations, blocs and coalitions. Modern interpretations of the methods of studying international conflicts. Analysis of foreign policy contradictions at the regional and global levels. The specifics of assessments of international mediation and sponsorship of peace initiatives. The specifics of the study of the phenomenon of historical foreign policy.
Methods for studying the impact of domestic politi-cal processes on foreign policy
The reasons for the dominance in modern studies on international relations of supranational themes, problems of foreign policy of individual states and mutual relations of sovereign states in the international arena, the role of external influence on the positions of states on various international issues. Methods for studying the influence of internal political and internal economic factors on the foreign pol-icy of individual states and foreign economic policy. Interpretation of methods for analyzing the internal political potential of political regimes. Methods of research on the evolution of foreign policy courses au-thoritarian regimes. The impact of socio-political conflicts on the change in foreign policy. Evaluation of the effectiveness of external influence and the impact on the escalation of the political struggle and the creation of the founda-tions of a change in foreign policy orientation. The problem of analyzing the international context of one hundred political coups and "color revolutions".
Methods for studying the impact of international processes on the formation and activities of political elites
Modern approaches to assessing the influence of political elites on the formation of a foreign policy course. Non-institutionalism and the theory of political elites. The applicability of the structural method to the study of elites. The specifics of the analysis of the political potential of political leaders. The place and role of behavioral analysis in the study of the political class. Comparison of foreign policy priorities of indi-vidual parts of the political elite. The influence of foreign policy positions of the state (international pres-tige) and political regimes on the formation and evolution of political elites. Monitoring the political and ideological development of the political elite, as an indicator of the stability of foreign policy. Analysis of the influence of the international environment, including the resource one, on the formation of the political elite. The problem of international legitimacy of the political elite. The evolution of political evaluations of elites in the context of international relations, the position of the state in the international arena.
Defines methods of research of information wars in interna-tional relations
Expansion of the information and communication component of modern international relations. The phenomenon of globalization of information flows and the formation of the global information market. In-formation wars and their use in international conflicts. The interdisciplinary nature of the study of the phe-nomenon of information wars. The evolution of the role of the information resource in the formation of for-eign policy at the beginning of the XXI century. Formation of specialized techniques for the study of information wars. Typology of information wars. Asymmetry of modern information wars. Fight for the sphere of information influence. The method of analysis of information invasion of media space of sovereign states. World information and communication centers and methods of their study.

Assessment Elements

Essay
Colloquium
1. Fundamentals of the study of international relations 2. The use of regulatory analysis in the study of interna-tional relations 3. A systematic approach to the study of modern inter-national relations 4. Methodological problems of research in international relations 5. Basics of economic analysis of international relations 7. Main methodological trends in foreign policy re-search 8. Methods for studying the impact of domestic politi-cal processes on foreign policy 9. Methods for studying the impact of international processes on the formation and activities of political elites 10. Methods of research of information wars in interna-tional relations

Interim Assessment

Interim assessment (1 semester)
0.5 * Colloquium + 0.5 * Essay

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

POPESCUL, L. F., & JITARU, L. (2017). Research Methods Used in Studies on Management and International Affairs. Journal of Public Administration, Finance & Law, (11), 157–162. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=asn&AN=125500555
Shaping international public opinion : a model for nation branding and public diplomacy / Jami A. Fullerton and Alice Kendrick, editors. (2017). Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.483405965

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Fisunoğlu, A. (2019). System Dynamics Modeling in International Relations. All Azimuth: A Journal of Foreign Policy & Peace, 8(2), 231–253. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=poh&AN=137302377
Harrison, L. (2013). Key research concepts in politics & international relations / Lisa Harrison & Theresa Callan. Los Angeles [u.a.]: SAGE. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.267573057
Henriques Ferreira, T. S. V. aut. (2019). In search of a lost treasure cultural mapping studies in the field of political science and international relations in Brazil Túlio Sérgio Henriques Ferreira, Vanessa Horácio Lira. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.166910124X
Morin, J.-F. V. (DE-588)1102221635, (DE-576)470119381, aut. (2018). Foreign policy analysis : a toolbox / Jean-Frédéric Morin, Jonathan Paquin. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.496982249
Ryan, M., Saunders, C., Rainsford, E., & Thompson, E. (2014). Improving Research Methods Teaching and Learning in Politics and International Relations: A “Reality Show” Approach. Politics, 34(1), 85–97. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9256.12020

Course Syllabus