1.1

1.1 Power and Politics around the Globe

Key concepts: Interdependence, Power

In this unit, we will explore the nature, distribution, and contestation of power at various levels of global politics. We will look in detail at:

- the definition and nature of global politics

- how this course works

- the ways in which global politics plays out at different levels, from the local to the global

- definitions of power

- types of power

- theories of how power operates in today’s world

We will explore these themes through two case studies:

- Europe's 'last dictatorship': Belarus

- Hard and soft power in the rise of China

Required Reading

Murphy, Robert & Gleek, Charles: Essentials – Global Politics, pp. 2-12

Heywood, Andrew: Political Theory, pp. 122-130. (beginning of ch. 5: “Power, Authority, Legitimacy”)

Stiglitz, Joseph: The Chinese Century (extracts)

Summers, Lawrence: The World – including China – is underprepared for the rise of China (extracts)

Qazi, Afsah: China’s Soft Power Problem (extracts)

Individual Research on Belarus

Individual Research on China's "One Belt One Road" initiative

Required viewing

Eric Liu on power: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_Eutci7ack

Joseph Nye on power shifts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=796LfXwzIUk

Al Jazeera: A Belarusian Spring: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQTHiClXxk0

The Daily Conversation: China's New Silk Road: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJCkpOkuph4

Recommended Reading and viewing

Heywood, Andrew: Global Politics, pp. 209-214, 227-231 (extracts from ch. 9: “Power and Twenty-First Century World Order.”)

Hoffman, John & Paul Graham. “What is Power?” In Introduction to Political Theory, eds. John Hoffman & Paul Graham, 2-13. London: Pearson Longman.

Hans Rosling on population growth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezVk1ahRF78Eric Liu on power https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_Eutci7ack