IRs vs. Cultual Relativsm

In our first meeting, we pose the problems in contemporary international relations theories with regard to cultural standpoints. We had several different reports based on local perspectives including Cuba, China, Bangladesh, Greece, and Japan. With regard to Human Rights, as Chris reported, Amartya Sen posed the issues of Universal Truths with regard to cultural relativism. Samuel P. Huntington with his article “the Clash of Civilizations?” has brought our attention to such cultural dimension in contemporary international relations too.

1. Explain three generations of Human Rights with regard to the Western view.

2. Why do cultural relativists against “Universal Truths”?

3. Many non-governmental organizations globally and locally engage in various human rights issues including human trafficking, women’s rights, child labor, refugees and sexual violence against women and children and so on. Do they rely on Universal Truths or cultural relativism? If necessary, please watch the movie “Beyond Border”.

4. Globalization facilitates economic, political, social, and cultural unification. Thomas Friedman illustrated such process as “World is flat” in his book. Instead, Samuel P. Huntington argues that our world could be divided by religious and cultural differences in his article “the Clash of Civilization?” Other journalists characterize these problems of convergence and divergence under globalization as “MacWorld vs. Jihad”. In your view, do contemporary international relations perspectives help you to describe, evaluate, and predict these events? If not, how do you want to modify international relations theory? Make a very brief comment.

Globalizing Issues

Following Angela’s presentation, Syed and Stan brought our attention to health problems related to AIDS, SARS, and various other epidemics. The World Health Organization (WHO) as an organ of the UN system plays the leadership role to deal with such health problems.

1. Why do these problems consider as global issues?

2. In addition to the UN system, who do become primary actors to deal with such problems? Why have their roles been increased?

3. These health problems are more likely to be exacerbated by the environmental problems and domestic conflict. I have named such a link “Deadly Bridge”. But, in Figure 10.3 of Mingst’s Essentials of International Politics, she depicted some link between environmental scarcity and social effects based on Thomas F. Homer-Dixon’s argument. Do their arguments make sense to you? If so, why? If it does not make sense, how can you explain the relationship between environmental and health issues to social problems?

4. Related to Question 3, does any theoretical perspective help you to justify your argument?

Globalization

Globalization influences our daily life positively and negatively. Joe, Angela, and Elizabeth summarized various issues which are caused by or accompanied with economic globalization. Also, as many of you gave a report, the so-called “Bretton Woods Institutions” which consist of the World Bank, the International Monetary Founds (IMF), and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) (replaced by the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1994) in 1946 have been the key facilitators of economic globalization in addition to Multinational Corporations (MNCs). Their motivations and actions are justified by theories of “Economic Liberalism”.

1. What are the core elements of economic liberalism?

2. How do merchantilists/statists and radicals criticize economic liberalism?

3. Based on the economic liberal theory, IMF enforces structural adjustment programs (SAP). What is it? What are problems of SAP?

4. As Marti presented, today the World Bank and IMF and other aid agencies promote sustainable development. What is it? How is it different from the traditional concept of economic development based on economic liberals? Who should be the responsible to promote sustainable development?

Preventing Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

One of major global agendas is to prevent proliferation of nuclear weapons. We have an interesting dialogue by Realist, Liberal, and Constructivist. We also discussed a similar topic with regard to President Obama’s Nuclear dismantle proposal. Rethink and incorporate our discussion and answer the following questions.

1. Why is the problem(s)?

2. Which theoretical perspectives do help to justify a state obtain the nuclear program and nuclear weapons?

3. Which theoretical perspectives do help to justify the position of preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons such as Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) and Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).

4. Today, North Korea and Iran intend to obtain their own nuclear weapon capability as a tool to achieve their own foreign policy goals.Which theoretical perspectives do justify their action? Explain why.

Arms Acquisitions and Effects on Outcomes in Civil War Negotiations in Asia and Pacific, 1990-2005: An Explanatory Study

After reading Pearson et al on Arms and Their Effects on Outcomes in Civil War Negotiations, please post your comments on the paper here (5 points).

Afghan Insurgency

After reading Carter-Suzuki paper on Afghan Insurgency, please post your comments here (5 points).

Thomas Friedman's World is Flat

Please feel free to post your comment on Thomas Friedman's argument on Economic Globalization.