1. The Making of the 21st Century Professor Scott Radnitz Spring 2010
SIS 201
The Making of the 21st Century
Professor Scott Radnitz
Spring 2010

2. International Order Stable, recurring patterns of relations
Formal institution—explicit commitment to abide by rules
Informal institution—implicit understanding stemming from shared ideas or repeated interaction

3. Why Do Orders Break Down?
Anarchy
Unequal  tension  peaceful change/
Opportunities breakdown (war)
War determines who shapes the system
Winners try to lock in gains
Every system is imperfect

4. Major Challenges to the International System
World War I
World War II
1989
2001
2008?

11. New Challenges Redistribution of power Alternative economic models
Climate change
Global recession

12. Main Questions and Recurring Themes of the Course
The international system: How does order emerge and break down? (power and ideas)
How did the post-WWII configuration come about, and what were its effects?
How can we understand the international system today?
How do the losers from the system resist?
Connections and ironies of history
Using social science to understand the world

13. Course Website: http://faculty.washington.edu/srad/sis201/
Short papers
Research Paper
Reading (books, primary documents, newspaper)
Final
Discussion sections T/Th