PSCI 2601 Notes

PSCI 2601 Notes International Relations: Global Politics Sept 7, 2023 Week 1 Reading - “The End of History?” Francis Fukuyama - Introduction - Observing a Paradigm Shift: - Fukuyama highlights a significant transformation in world history. - This shift is marked by the conclusion of the Cold War and a notable trend towards global peace. - Critique of Historical Analysis: - Fukuyama criticizes the absence of a comprehensive framework for distinguishing fundamentals from contingent historical events. - He suggests that many analyses of this period lack depth and rely on superficial interpretations. - Emphasis on Larger Processes: - Fukuyama underscores the importance of recognizing overarching processes at play in shaping historical developments. - He argues that the world is experiencing something more profound than individual events suggest. - The Triumph of Western Liberalism - Exhaustion of Ideological Alternatives: - Fukuyama contends that Western liberalism has prevailed globally. - This is largely due to the depletion of credible alternatives to this ideology. - Intellectual Climate Shift: - Fukuyama notes changes in the intellectual climate of the world's largest communist countries. - He observes the emergence of significant reform movements in these nations. - Cultural Influence: - Fukuyama discusses the spread of Western consumerist culture across diverse contexts worldwide. - This includes its presence in China, Moscow, and even its influence on music and markets. - Victory of Economic and Political Liberalism: - Fukuyama asserts that the triumph of the West is evident in the exhaustion of systematic alternatives to Western liberalism. - He suggests that the world is moving towards an unabashed victory of economic and political liberalism.

- The End of History - Concept of the End of History: - Fukuyama introduces the concept of the end of history as the endpoint of mankind's ideological evolution. - He argues that Western liberal democracy is becoming the final form of human government. - Triumph in the Realm of Ideas: - Fukuyama explains that the victory of liberalism has primarily occurred in the realm of ideas or consciousness. - He notes that its full realization in the material world is still incomplete. - Ideals Governing the Material World: - Fukuyama posits that the ideal of Western liberal democracy will ultimately govern the material world. - He suggests that understanding this requires considering theoretical issues about the nature of historical change. - Historical Change and Ideology - Hegelian Influence: - Fukuyama traces the notion of the end of history back to Hegel. - He explains that Hegel viewed history as a dialectical process with a beginning, middle, and end. - Influence on Modern Social Science: - Fukuyama discusses Hegel's influence on modern social science, particularly his concept of man as a product of historical and social environments. - Distinguishing Historical Change: - He argues that to understand the current historical shift, we must examine historical change and ideological evolution. - Challenges to Liberalism - Two Major Challenges: - Fukuyama identifies fascism and communism as the two significant challenges to liberalism. - He notes that fascism saw political weaknesses in the West and called for a strong state based on national exclusivity. - Fascism's Defeat: - Fukuyama discusses how fascism, exemplified by Nazi Germany, was defeated in World War II. - He attributes its collapse to both material defeat and the loss of its appeal. - The Class Issue: - He acknowledges the class issue as a challenge, particularly in Marx's view, which he argues has been successfully resolved in the West. - Fukuyama suggests that modern America's egalitarianism represents the achievement of Marx's classless society.

- Ideological Transformations in Asia - Asia as a Battleground: - Fukuyama describes Asia as a battleground for Western ideologies. - Indigenous cultures in Asia adopted and adapted Western ideologies in the early 20th century. - Japan's Adaptation: - Fukuyama highlights Japan's unique adaptation of Western capitalism and political liberalism. - He notes that Japan transformed these ideas to suit its traditions and institutions. - South Korea's Development: - Fukuyama discusses South Korea's transformation into a modern, urbanized society. - He emphasizes the importance of a growing middle class and education in shaping democratic trends. - Influence of Consumer Culture: - Fukuyama underscores the role of consumer culture in fostering economic and political liberalism in Asia. - He mentions the influence of Japanese consumer products and the desire for access to this culture. - The Rise of China - Discrediting Marxism-Leninism: - Fukuyama notes China's discrediting of Marxism-Leninism as an economic system. - He highlights the shift towards economic reforms. - Economic Reforms: - Fukuyama discusses the economic changes in China, including de- collectivization and increased consumer goods production. - He points out that these reforms have given Chinese peasants a taste of the universal homogenous state. - Deng Xiaoping's Leadership: - He acknowledges Deng Xiaoping's role in building a solid political base and extending economic reforms. - Deng's leadership played a pivotal role in China's economic transformation. - Pull of the Liberal Idea: - Fukuyama discusses how China's students studying abroad and the desire for access to consumer culture contribute to the pull of the liberal idea. - He implies that these factors will likely shape China's political future.

- Conclusion - Student Demonstrations in Beijing: - Fukuyama concludes by mentioning student demonstrations in Beijing as the beginning of a larger democratizing trend. - He suggests that these events signify a broader movement towards political change. - Universalization of Western Liberal Democracy: - He reiterates the idea of the end of history as the universalization of Western liberal democracy. - Fukuyama argues that this represents the ultimate form of human government. - Understanding Historical Change and Ideology: - He emphasizes the importance of understanding historical change and the triumph of ideology in shaping the world's future. Sept 7, 2023 Week 1 - Introduction - Prof Information - Alex Mcdougall - Alex.mcdougall@cunet.Carleton.ca) (note: NOT cmail) - Teaching Assistants: - Rob Haswell (01, 04) - Mark Lebel (02, 05) - Kim Nesbitt (03) - The End of History - Article published in 1989 by famous political science professor, Francis Fukuyama - 1989 events - Fall of USSR - Fall of the Berlin Wall - Claim: the fall of the USSR shows that liberal democracy is the only viable modern political system - Prediction: the post-historical world will be the unfolding and implementation of the ideal, with: - More democracy - Less war - More economic growth and prosperity globally - The study of international politics - The general theme: How do we make sense of the big picture trends in international politics - Long term progress on many fronts: democracy, poverty, violence reduction, and peace - Yet risks remain - Autocracy - War - Nuclear weapons - Climate change

Sept 14, 2023 Week 2 Reading - Great Power Rivalries: The Case for Realism - Introduction - Shift in World Politics: - Previously, experts believed the end of history had arrived, and great- power wars were obsolete. - Presently, the world faces two major great-power rivalries: US vs. Russia (Eastern Europe, Ukraine) and US vs. China (East Asia, Taiwan). - Both rivalries have the potential to escalate into conflicts. - Realism as the Dominant Theory - Realism in International Relations: - Realism is the best theory for understanding world politics. - Key actors are states, existing in a world without a supreme authority, making them focus on the balance of power. - Competition among states, especially great powers, is intrinsic to realism. - War is considered an acceptable instrument of statecraft, aligned with Clausewitz's idea that war is a continuation of politics. - Realism's Unpopularity in the West - Western Discontent: - Realism is unpopular in the West, which often views war as justifiable only in self-defense. - Realism is perceived as pessimistic, assuming perpetual security competition leading to tragic outcomes. - West tends to believe regime type (democracy vs. authoritarianism) significantly influences state behavior. - Historical Context - US Foreign Policy: - Historically, the US has primarily followed realist principles but often couched its actions in moral rhetoric. - Examples include alliances with Stalinist Soviet Union and support for autocrats during the Cold War. - Unipolar Moment and Liberal Hegemony - Unipolar Moment (1991-2017): - Brief period when the US attempted to establish a global order based on liberal democracy, rule of law, market economies, and human rights. - This "liberal hegemony" strategy ultimately failed and contributed to the current geopolitical challenges. - Realism's Core Tenets - Anarchy and Self-Help: - States operate in an anarchic world, relying on self-help. - All great powers possess offensive military capabilities. - Uncertainty about intentions makes anticipating state actions difficult.