Contemporary Issues of International Politics

Specific Foundation / Core

The course is also offered to exchange programme students.

Upon successful completion of the course, students: will have a comprehensive picture of the main parameters governing international relations today; will know and be able to analyze the behavior of major actors in the international scene; will be able to compare policies and stances on the basis of state interests in international politics.

Object The course examines the current international political situation in the light of certain major geopolitical and economic developments. It is shaped in the form of a thematic seminar, and aims to enable students to deepen their knowledge and to analyze the main parameters of international relations today. The course emphasizes the analysis of political, economic and political situation of key players on the international scene and the links formed between them as well as the impact of such links at regional and global level. Series of lectures for the academic year 2019-20 This year the course will address in particular two aspects of modern international relations: the major changes in the African continent and the United Nations' efforts to collectively address the major problems of humanity by adopting the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The course will be structured as follows: Lecture 1. Introduction. International politics in the 21st century • From the end of history and the US predominance to the 'anarchic' world • Nations, states, religions, international political economy • The war - an outdated tool or peace in another way? • The right to humanitarian intervention • The role of regional organizations in shaping international relations Lecture 2. Ethnic groups, states and national self-determination • The Concept of self-rule. The limits of self-determination • Study cases (Abkhazia, Nagorno, Transdniestria, Kurdistan) • Separatist movements in Europe. The cases of Catalonia and the Basque Country Lecture 3. The Middle East • The end of the historical Middle East • Islam and its divisions (Sunni-Shia) • Democracy, Secularism and Islam Lecture 3. Russia and Eurasia • Russia and the Russian people • Ukraine and Russia • Democracy, authoritarianism and dictatorship in the former Soviet Union • The role of energy raw materials in international politics Lectures 4 -5. Africa • Africa as a special case. The legacy of colonialism and the inability to create nation-states • The political and economic implications of colonialism • Multiparty democracy and tribalism. The sovereignty of one-party • Failed states and their impact on international relations • Africa's development scourges (AIDS, famine, pestilence) • Climate change and desertification in Africa: anthropogenic and natural climate change (examples of Saharan expansion and rainforest reduction) • Environmental Refugees and the International Impact of Displacement Lectures 6- 7. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) • Formulating goals for the client • The possibilities of multilateral cooperation in changing the policy model • The big issues of the climate crisisLecture Lecture 8. The Chinese Century? • China's rise on the international scene • Capitalism and one-party rule • The Chinese hinterland: the geopolitical dimension of the Chinese hegemony. Lecture 9. The other Asia • The Indian specificity • Democracy and religions • The ASEAN and its states – a model or an exception. Are there are still economic tigers? Lecture 10. The emergence of Latin America • Regional integration and hegemonic aspirations (Brazil, Mexico) • Nationalism, populism, democracy and inequality in the Americas Lectures 11-12. International Justice as a tool for international policies • Basic concepts of international law • Basic concepts of Sea law • The international courts and their role Lecture 13. Overview

international politics, international organizations, international relations

03-10-2019