Topic of choice The Cold War

Before you begin this assignment, please review the course materials from the first three weeks of class with a special focus on the three mainstream theoretical perspectives: realism, liberalism and constructivism.

Please pay particular attention to the definition of each and avoid pairing them with domestic perceptions of conservatives, liberals, etc. I also recommend reviewing the week 2 forum's Wrap up.

While you may select an outside source to present a world event, it is important to study and incorporate the week 2 readings to explain IR theories. Outside sources on IR theories can be quite confusing for students new to International Relations.

For this assignment you will choose a world event. You can choose one of the ones listed below or come up with your own. I suggest that you message me if you choose your own event. Explain which states are involved, if there are any non-state actors, (for non-state actors' definitions, see Week One Lessons), international governmental organizations or non governmental organizations involved in the conflict.

Also identify a few of the key individuals involved. Then lastly, and here's the tricky part, decide which theory would best explain the event and explain your choice. Be sure to define the theory. Lastly, remember that IR theories are not characteristics or states or processes.

Think of they as guidelines that help leaders make foreign policy decisions. For example: Instead of claiming that the North Korea was realist, think about its leader as a realist.

Your response should be 3 - 5 paragraphs. Remember that one paragraph is about a 1/2 of a page long. Use 12 inch, Times New Roman font. The paper should not be more than 3 pages, including References.

Topic: The Cold War

Please be sure to cite source in the text with Turabian in-text citations, and write a Reference List at the end of your work. By this time, you should be familiar with the basics of the Turabian Reference and Citation Style.

WRAP UP REFERENCE

This week, we completed our understanding of key theories of International Relations. This is the most difficult topic of this class. You all did a great job, choosing a theory and explaining its strengths and weaknesses. Let's review the theories because they are a very important part of this course and often the most challenging one. It will get much easier now!

First of all, let me restate what IR theories mean in general: they are lenses that help leaders see the world. Because everyone has a different lens, there have to be a few different theories. Some see the world as a friendly place, while others see it chaotic or even dangerous. Although the US political parties do incorporate some elements of the IR theories, we don't focus on them in this class.

Realism claims that national security is the top priority for a state in order to survive in an international system with a continuous struggle for power. While classical realism displays fundamental pessimism about human nature, subsequent generations of scholars introduced new realist thoughts.

Kenneth Waltz represents the philosophy of neo-realism that approaches the world politics with scientific tools. Other versions have also arisen, such as Mearsheimer's concept of offensive realism that emphasizes a belief that states assume the worst from one another and seek to maximize their share of world power.

Liberalism or liberal institutionalism does not see the doom and gloom of a lasting conflict. Instead, its theorists believe that we can achieve a more peaceful world where cooperation is possible.

While realists do not like change and strive to maintain the status quo, liberal institutionalists are partial to the concept of change and pursue it through international institutions, such as the United Nations, the European Union or even international law.

Please remember that Liberalism in International Relations doesn't stress the same points as Liberalism in economics. As an economic theory, Liberalism is equated with the economic theories of Adam Smith that promotes laissez-faire economics -- free markets and free trade.

Constructivism, often regarded as a social or alternative theory, is a growing approach that focuses on established social norms and cultures and how they influence relations among states. Similar to liberalism, constructivists concentrate on multi-lateralism and value international organizations to enhance the world peace.