PSCI 322(S) Transnational Organizations (Offered 1997-98 only)

Most countries, most of the time, live with each other in peace. Each day, the world's 200 countries fail to start several million possible wars, refrain from embargoing each other, decline to expel each other's ambassadors, and neglect to shoot down each other's airplanes and satellites or to refuse incoming business travelers, mail, or television signals. Given the "anarchic" nature of the international system, the lack of world government, how do we explain the peacefulness that characterizes the bulk of international interaction? This course starts by examining the theoretical bases for international cooperation, the historical development of international law and norms, and the place of international organizations, which seek to institutionalize peaceful interaction in one area. We then proceed to case studies that examine in detail the role that international legal norms have played in governing disputes and their settlement. We will also consider non-events: conquests and disputes that never were, but perhaps should have been. Requirements: three medium-length papers; active and constructive participation in class discussions. Prerequisite: two previous courses dealing with international relations or law.

Hour:  BARKIN