The International Relations of the Americas

Description

The module introduces students to the international relations (IR) of the Americas. The module hinges on two fundamental concerns in IR: conflict and cooperation, and analyses states’ behaviour in this region through their conflictual and peaceful interactions. The module adopts a Global IR approach and actively incorporates the often-marginalised voices from the Global South in knowledge production. Accordingly, the course highlights the key role of the US but simultaneously emphasises the mutually constitutive nature of international relations and draws attention to the agency of Latin American and Caribbean states as well. The introductory session presents key IR concepts and theories, including the state, sovereignty, anarchy, and realism. Week 2 provides students with a toolbox for analysing the events covered in the course, by introducing traditional theories (i.e., Liberalism) and alternative epistemologies from Latin America and the Caribbean (i.e., Peripheral Realism, and Decolonial Theories). Additional theories and frameworks will be introduced each week. The module is then divided into three blocks. Weeks 3 to 5 focus on conflict, from historical instances defined by hegemony and power at the time of empires, through the political repression of Cold War era dictatorships and revolutions, to current ‘wars’ in violent democracies. Subsequently, weeks 6 to 8 tackle cooperation, exploring efforts to create regional organisations to further institutional and economic development, promote democracy and human rights, and face the challenge of climate change. Finally, weeks 9 to 10 explore the potential for both conflict and cooperation in states’ interactions regarding migratory patterns and the role of extra-regional powers. The module illustrates the complexity of IR of the Americas, and their continuities and discontinuities over time. Students will be encouraged to deepen their knowledge of IR theories and apply these to critically explain phenomena across the region.