GOVT 1600: International Relations – Fall 2022
Dr. Gerd Nonneman
I have always been intrigued by geography, history, and demographics, all of which are subjects that neatly come together within the interdisciplinary framework of International Relations. Taking an International Relations class at Georgetown University in Qatar has given me the chance to gain a deep understanding of political theory, policy, and statistical methods as well as to utilize the essential skills I have gained when thinking about the world around us.
The frequency and intricacy of interactions between various nations and governments are in continuous increase as the world becomes more connected through trade, migration, and technological innovation. Studying International Relations has allowed me to realize that a digitized world demands skilled individuals to analyze and comprehend complex relationships on a local and international level, to aid in the creation of policies and the development of solutions that address prevalent global problems both now and in the future.
The interdisciplinary nature of International Relations has stimulated my intellectual interest, leading me to continually seek innovative solutions while posing twice as many questions. For instance, my study of international relations throughout this course has allowed me to delve deeper into the way nations and states interact with one another as well as with subnational entities (including political parties and global organizations, for example) by exploring topics like the essence of diplomacy and the reasons for conflict within and between nations. I was also able to use theoretical tools such as Liberalism, Realism, Constructivism, and Marxism to explain how the international system works. This has led me to question whether international organizations that were established to maintain international peace and security are effective. Therefore, for my final paper in this class, I explored and examined the extent to which the theories of Realism and Liberalism can help explain the effectiveness of the United Nations. By using these theories as analytical frameworks, I was able to point out the UN’s shortcomings as its role becomes increasingly ideological and oriented toward self-interest instead of diplomacy.