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Jon [email protected] Skinner HallMount Holyoke College(DRAFT)SS 303American Hegemony and International Security in the 21st CenturyFall 2004Mondays: 1:00 – 3:50pmThis course explores how decisions and strategic positioning by the United States will influence the global security climate in the coming decades. It begins with a broad overview of the global security environment and the nature and sources of American power. We will explore multiple conceptions of American power and examine the role of American exceptionalism and liberal ideals as a basis of American hegemony. The course will then critically examine the effects of American power as it relates to traditional sources of international security and conflict and likely trends in WMD proliferation, terrorism, economic development, environmental degradation, resource scarcity, demographic stress, and global public health. Previous course work in world politics is required. Requirements: There are three elements of the final evaluation for this course: 1) a 10 -12 page final paper that examines the role(s) of one or more U.S. or international agencies or non-governmental agencies devoted to long-term threat assessment – 50%; 2) one 5 – 7 essay that analyzes long-term trends and predictions and presents some scenario of international security 25 years from now – 25%; and 3) class participation 25%.The 5 – 7 page essay will be due on October 25. I will discuss the specifics in class. For the final paper, you will pick an important, contemporary policy debate regarding international security in the coming decades. Your paper should: 1) include a description of the problem and the majors actors that shape this issue – be sure to specify how powerful those actors are and what their interests are; 2) describe the internal assumptions and underlying analytical logic (or illogic and inconsistencies) these actors make in presenting their arguments/analyses; and, 3) present your own analysis of the particular issue; Describe why your analysis is the right one for the problem (both technically and politically) and discuss possible technical and political obstacles to your policy proposals. You will submit a one paragraph description of this paper to me on/or before November 15. You may also choose to submit a complete draft of your paper to me on/before December 3. I will read and provide written comments on all completedrafts provided to me. (This is a great benefit for you to get some feedback prior to the final submission.) The final paper is due on December 14.Finally, this course is an interactive discussion course. I will provide a brief introduction to each session’s topic, but we will spend most of each meeting discussing the readings and concepts. As a result, it is imperative that you be prepared to discuss the class-relatedmaterials each session. Books for Purchase: The following books are available at the Hampshire College Bookstore:SyllabusBooks, Alexander T. J. Lennon, “What Does the World Want from America?Sept. 13: Introduction: What is the state of international security today? Sept. 20: Traditional Conceptions of Power, Security and Change in the International SystemThe Melian Dialogue in The Pelopponesian War by ThucydidesImmanual Kant, “Perpetual Peace” Read Section I and II.Paul Kennedy, The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers, pp. xv – xxv and 514 – 540 (handout);Samuel Huntington, “The Clash of Civilizations?”Francis Fukuyama, “Liberal Democracy as a Global Phenomenon”Sept. 27 and Oct. 4: The American Debate on the Meaning and Nature of AmericanPower: An Exceptional Hegemon?John Winthrop, City on a HillJohn L. O’Sullivan, Manifest DestinyAndrew Bacevich, “The Myth of the Reluctant Superpower,” Chapter one from his book American Empire: The Realities and Consequences.Robert Gilpin, “The Rise of American Hegemony,” in Two Hegemonies: Britain 1846 – and the United States 1941 – 2001, Patrick Karl O’Brien and Armand Clesse, eds.,Charles Krauthammer, “The Unipolar Moment Revisited,”National Security Strategy of the United States (The Bush Doctrine)Norman Podhoretz, “World War IV: How It Started, What It Means, and Why We Have to Win,” Commentary,Francis Fukuyama, “The Neoconservative Moment,” The National InterestNoam Chomsky, Dominance and its Dilemmas,” Boston Review, Oct/Nov, 2003;See also, Noam Chomsky, “Hegemony or Survival: America’s Quest for Global Dominance,” speech at Illinois State University, Oct. 11: Fall BreakOct. 18: Emergence of Peer Rivals? ChinaJohn Mearshiemer, George J. Gilboy, “The Myth Behind China’s Miricle,” Foreign Affairs, July/August 2004, pp. 33 – 48/Oct. 25: TerrorismScott Atram, “Mishandling Suicide Terrorism,” Washington Quarterly,September 11 Commission, Final Report, Executive SummaryCurrent List of Foreign Terrorist Organizations as defined by the U.S. Department of StateVictoria Garcia, “U.S. Post-September 11 Arms Trade,” Center for Defense Information Bruce Blair, “Rogue States: Nuclear Herrings” Center for Defense InformationNov. 1: FundamentalismPhilip Jenkins, “The Next Christianity,” The Atlantic Monthly, October, 2002, pp. 53 – 68.Mark Burgess, “Explaining Religious Terrorism,” Part I and Part II“The Grand Inquisitor,” Chapter 5 from Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Brothers KaramozovNov. 8: DemographicsHuntington, “The Hispanic Challenge” Foreign Policy, March/April 2002.Robert Kaplan, “The Coming Anarchy: How Scarcity, Crime, Overpopulation, Tribalism and Disease are Destroying the Social Fabric of our Planet,” The Atlantic Monthly, February, 1994.Jack Goldstone, “Population and Security: How Demographic Change Can Lead to Conflict,”“A Smaller World,” editorial, EconomistJeffrey Sachs, “Rapid Population Growth Saps Development.” Short review essayof Nancy Birdsall, et.al., Population MattersNov. 15: Environmental Degradation and Resource Scarcity: Michael Klare, Blood and Oil, chapts. 1 and 6.U.S. Department of Energy, International Energy OutlookU.S. Department of Energy: Oil Market BasicsBrowse: U.S. Department of Energy website on OilNov. 22: Poverty:Should Global Poverty Be Considered a U.S. National Security Issue? Commentaries from Woodrow Wilson Center For International Scholars. Download and read commentaries from Ferraro, Lancaster, Pinstrup-Anderson, Sachs, and


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