PSCI 223 (formerly 322) International Law and Organization (Not offered 1998-99; to be offered 1999-2000)

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. Most countries, most of the time, live with each other in peace. Given the anarchic nature of the international system-the lack of world government-how do we explain peace? More, how can we explain the existence, let alone health, of over 1000 international governmental organizations, ranging from the Nordic Council for Reindeer Research to the European Union or the United Nations? This course starts by examining the bases for international cooperation in the distribution of power, treaties, the historical development of international law and norms, and the place of international governmental organizations, which seek to institutionalize predictable and peaceful interaction in one area. We will also examine nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), which range from Amnesty International and the Red Cross to the International Association of Esperanto Bankers and the International Petula Clark Society. Requirements: three medium-length papers; active and constructive participation in class discussions. No prerequisites. International Relations Subfield

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