Reference no: EM133290277 , Length: word count:2400

Brief: Essay

Assessment Details
Students may choose any essay title through agreement with the Module Leader. The essay length will be 2500 words. The essay must make an argument in favour of, or critique of, at least one theoretical approach to IR.

While your focus may be on defending or critiquing one chosen theory, you may draw upon other IR theoretical paradigms in making your argument. For example, a critique of Realism may draw upon arguments drawn from Liberal, Feminist or Constructivist perspectives.

You can use case study examples to illustrate your arguments, if you wish.

Choose any one of the following questions.

- A defence OR critique of Realism in the context of the Cold War balance of power (1946-1989).
- To what extent is Feminist theory applicable to understanding and critiquing governmental responses to the Syrian refugee crisis in Europe?
- "Anarchy is what states make of it." (Alexander Wendt). A defence OR critique of this position.
- Why do states choose to cooperate through international organisations according to Neoliberal Institutionalist perspectives? Do you find these arguments convincing?
- A defence / critique of World Systems Theory in light of the rise of China and / or the ‘Asian Tigers'.
- How relevant are Realist conceptualisations of 'security' in the 21st century? In what ways can Realist definitions of 'security' be challenged?
- How can 'power' best be understood in international politics? Discuss, with reference to at least TWO of the following paradigms: Realism, Constructivism, Neo-Marxism, Feminism.
- Is the international system inherently conflictual in nature? Discuss, with reference to at least TWO IR theoretical paradigms (Realism, Liberalism, English School, Neo-Marxism, Constructivism, Feminism or Postcolonialism).
- 'Disagreement over the consequences of anarchy is the main dividing line between Neorealism and Neoliberal Institutionalism'. Discuss.
- Is Liberal faith in the transformative effects of international institutions misplaced? Discuss, drawing upon Liberalism and at least ONE other theory of international relations.
- How successfully do Liberal and English School paradigms address the question of 'progress' in International Relations?
- Is the current global system inherently exploitative? Discuss with reference to Neo-Marxist OR Postcolonial perspectives on IR.
- What is the Post-Positivist Epistemological position in social sciences? What perceived limitations of Positivism did it seek to address?
- How did IR as a discipline respond to the failure of mainstream theories of International Relations such as neo-realism to predict the end of the Cold War? What theoretical innovations took place in response? Discuss in relation to at least one theory.
- What does Wendt mean when he says: "Self-help and power politics do not follow logically or causally from anarchy, and if we find ourselves in a self-help world, this is due to process, not structure." Do you agree with this position?
- How do Neo-Marxist theories apply the concept of class to the study of International Relations? Discuss in relation to at least one theory and demonstrate using at least one empirical example.
- How do non-western approaches challenge the underlying assumptions of traditional IR theory? What do they add to our understanding of contemporary events in the international arena? Discuss in relation to at least one concrete empirical example.
- What was the ‘Normative (re)turn' in the discipline of International Relations and how did normative IR theories address the limitations of traditional IR theory? Discuss with reference to at least two normative theories.
- Why do states choose to sacrifice their sovereignty and act through international organisations according to Institutional Neoliberalism? Compare this approach to at least one other theory - Which do you find more compelling and why?
- The concept of Anarchy has been central in many traditional IR theories however recently critical IR theories such as Feminist and Post-Colonial IR theories have argued instead for the relevance of the concept of Hierarchy. In your opinion, which concept is more useful in analysing contemporary global politics and why?