Week 2 forum

Both WWI and WWII were total wars so we're combining the week 2 and 3 forums under that conceptual umbrella. The reading for week 2 is on WWI and it is specially focused on the origin of the war. The reading for week 3 is on WWII and it is focused on opposing viewpoints about the war.

To start, let's explore the circumstances that led to WWI and consider if it could have been avoided. Was total war inevitable? What level of analysis did you use to support your comments? Please post your initial submission by Thursday of week 2. Your initial post should be approximately 300 words long.

Before we continue our exploration of total war by focusing on WWII, I want to point out that the experiences of WWI were a catalyst for liberalist (originally idealist) thought, which demonstrates the evolutionary nature of the world system. Catalysts, such as these two wars, permanently altered our notions of war and how it should be conducted.

Week 3 Forum

In the broadest sense, instability following WWI, especially in Germany, led to the onset of WWII. As can be witnessed in the current day, instability breeds insecurity. Differing perspectives provide varying solutions. In a few words, what are the realist and liberalist solutions to insecurity? What are the strengths and weaknesses to each approach? When appropriate, please support your thoughts with examples from WWII. Please post your initial submission by Thursday of week 3.Your initial post should be approximately 300 words long.

In your responses to other students on this combined forum, please focus on the notion of total war, its impact on the world system and how those impacts are visible today. I encourage you to include multimedia components to your posts. The easiest way to do that is to use the Kaltura function, which is right next to the tables button on the toolbar.

Please include In-Text citation and a reference page in both forums.