Abstract This paper explains the important role that perception plays in our day-to-day decisions and how states determine courses of action in international society also according to their perceptions. It also describes the relationship between perception and reality in international relations through the examination of case studies and I.R. theory.
From the Paper "Perception plays an extremely important role in our lives. The decisions we make every day are based on how we perceive the world around us. This is not so different from how states determine their course of action in international society. With only limited knowledge of the capabilities and intents of their neighbors, states must depend heavily on the perceptions they are able to gather. These perceptions however, are not always accurate assessments of the states that they endeavor to describe. Hence, for all intents and purposes, perception eclipses reality as the primary source of intelligence in the international arena. Unfortunately, misinterpretations of a state's behavior by another state can often lead to brutal conflict. Historically, perception has played a prominent and vital role in conflict between states, however this role is an elusive one to trace."
Tags: international, jervis, politics, relations, two, war, world, models
Abstract This paper describes the causes of the February and October Revolutions of 1917 including: World War I , the social discontent of the Russian peasantry and poor government and leadership.
From the Paper "The February Revolution's causes can fall under the three main sections: World War I, peasant reaction to social conditions, and poor government and leadership. World War I was the most evident and serious of the causes. The beginning of World War I caused "a public surge of patriotic enthusiasm" (37), but alas this enthusiasm could not withstand the many consequences of the war. Firstly the "Russian Army suffered crushing defeats and loses"? (37), which could only cause patriotic morale to dwindle the more they kept losing. These constant-crushing blows took a number of soldier's lives, which also meant a significant lose in the number of peasants because they made up a significant amount of the infantry, as a result of the implemented draft. This, to say the least, did not make the peasants and soldiers very pleased. The soldiers discontent was justified; they were not getting the equipment they needed, because most of the manpower was on the field and Russia was late to industrialize. This lack of equipment and technology cost the lives of many Russian troops. "
Tags: russia, war, czar, tsar, nicholas, peasant, autocracy, Kerensky, WWI, provisional, government
Abstract This paper discusses how the validity of the Democratic Peace theory is still debated by scholars who either refute or support the normative and structural models of democratic peace. Some scholars uphold the theory of Democratic Peace on a liberal foundation, whereas others discount it on the basis of realist principles. The author takes a look at the various arguments with focus on the liberal argument.
From the Paper "The validity of the Democratic Peace theory continues to be zealously debated by scholars who either refute or support the normative and structural models that purport to explain why democratic states rarely engage one another in militarized conflict. Bruce Russett, Zeev Maoz, and Michael W. Doyle uphold the theory of Democratic Peace on a liberal foundation, whereas Christopher Layne and David E. Spiro discount the theory on the basis of realist and realpolitik principles. Neither theological position is flawless in its analysis, yet the liberal argument is more compelling and makes better use of available data."
Abstract A comparison of American and Soviet arms control strategies during the Nixon administration, including SALT negotiations. The author looks at the motives and intentions of establishing arm control policies and the type of policies established.
From the Paper "In November, 1969, the United States and Soviet Union began the first major arms control talks in the history of the Cold War. As stated in class, both sides came to the talks with different goals in mind, and there were even differing motives on the American side itself. The United States approached the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) with the intention of establishing detente with the Soviet Union."
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts the foreign policies. of John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. The author examines why Kennedy was a new world order and detente advocate while Johnson was a conventional, containment cold warrior. The paper provides numerous examples of the Presidents' differing global strategies
From the Paper:
"Kennedy and Johnson represented two vastly different foreign policy strategies. Kennedy supported a new world order? of detente and cooperation with the Soviet Union. Johnson favored continuing a policy of global containment and confrontation with the Soviets. Kennedy's goals are best seen in his policiess after the Cuban Missile Crisis and in regard to Vietnam. After what amounted to a crushing Soviet defeat and the calling of their strategic bluff, Kennedy actually gave in to Soviet demands to remove Jupiter missiles from Turkey and pledged not to invade Cuba."
Tags: affairs, cold, containment, detente, foreign, international, new, order, policy, relations, soviet, union, war, world
Abstract This essay examines the idea that President Lyndon B. Johnson was actually a strong supporter of containment and a hardline anti-communist foreign policy. The author discusses how the failure of his foreign policy is what has made detente his legacy.
From the Paper:
"The issue of whether Johnson weakened containment comes down to the question of what is most important for containment to work. Is it more important to be able to successfully confront your enemy directly or to put up resistance wherever your enemy may attempt to penetrate around the globe? It seems to me that the former is a prerequisite for the latter. Johnson was only able to succeed at resisting communist insurgency in Latin America and elsewhere because the Soviets had not yet caught up to the United States in terms of strategic weapons. In addition, in the areas were Johnson was successful, the Soviets had little direct effect. The one area where the Soviets did become actively involved, Vietnam, was a dismal failure for Johnson and the US."
Tags: america, cold, communisim, containment, detente, latin, vietnam, war
Abstract An analysis of the new European currency, the Euro. The paper provides a history of previous attempts to institute such a change and how the process finally lead to the implementation. Details of economic changes in trade, taxation and personally are listed, as well as views for and against the Euro. Each country's position is discussed.
From the paper:
"European nations have recently adopted the euro currency, and this paper will provide pros and cons, and overall analysis of how Europe can benefit from it. Never before has a single currency been created across an industrialized zone. Exchange rate stability is what people are looking for with the euro. Some people hope it is such a success, that it will someday reach the shores of the United States and Japan. The euro is a financial innovation, and a common currency is the ultimate in stable exchange rates. A monetary union also provides the possibilities of a European political union linking."
Abstract A paper detailing the war that ravaged the Balkans in the early 1990?s, which uncovers the humanity of an extraordinarily patriotic population of that land and the incredible suffering endured by them.
From the paper:
"Often our lives are difficult and too busy for us to be able to digest all the information that comes our way every day. Consequently, more often than not, we tend to overlook information that, we feel, does not directly impact us. Even when we do pay attention, the information is presented so matter-of-factly that it frequently leaves us emotionless, unaffected, and therefore unmoved to act.
While Bosnian Muslims and Croats cried out for help, the world stood quietly by and did practically nothing to deal with the main cause of their suffering - the ravaging warfare."
Tags: balkans, bosnia, cleansing, croatia, ethnic, mostar, muslims, race, religion, sarajevo, violence, war, yugoslavia
This paper argues that just war theory, and the international law which is based upon it, are inherently flawed and lead powerful states justifying violent actions.
2,700 words (approx. 10.8 pages), 12 sources, 2001, $ 80.95
Abstract In this paper, it is argued that throughout history and in present day, the criteria of just war theory, and the international law which is based upon, have been applied only subjectively toward the fulfillment of national and self-interest, and that the plurality of human culture and the nature of war itself make it impossible to ever apply the criteria of just war theory in an objective manner. Because just war theory can never succeed in its goals of objectively determining when a state can justly go to war or how a war can be morally waged, it serves only as justification for the actions taken by states powerful enough to fulfill their national interest through violent conflict.
From the paper:
"?This semester, I had the opportunity to participate in a seminar on the foreign policy of the Clinton administration taught by Leon Fuerth, the national security advisor to former Vice-President Al Gore. As a member of the national security council, Fuerth provided an inside look at how American foreign policy was formulated over the last eight years. During one session, Fuerth discussed the process of deciding what objects to target during the Kosovo air campaign. He related that "the lawyers" advised the administration that it could not legally bomb the power grids of Serbian cities because it may lead to civilian injury. However, Fuerth recalled, they found no legal quandary with deploying a massive invasion force in Serbian territory or the civilian casualties that could result from such an invasion. Fuerth asked the class, almost rhetorically, which option was more moral?"
Abstract This paper contrasts the policies of the Roosevelt and Truman administrations toward the Soviet Union, especially as displayed at the Yalta and Potsdam conferences.
From the paper:
"As World War II labored toward its end in 1945, two final conferences of the Grand Alliance would begin to shape the postwar world. However, as put forth in lecture, between the Yalta Conference in February and the Potsdam meeting in July, the position of the United States changed dramatically. At Yalta, Roosevelt hoped to achieve an agreement on the United Nations, guarantee Soviet entry into the war against Japan, and continue to mold the postwar balance of power. In Europe, Roosevelt pushed for the dismemberment of Germany into seven pieces and the "pastoralization" of the defeated power."
Tags: churchill, cold, fdr, ii, soviet, stalin, union, war, world
Abstract This paper examines the War Powers Act and the constitutional authority to make war. The author concludes that, while flawed, the War Powers Act is absolutely necessary to curb presidential war-making power.
From the paper:
"The president and Congress have often battled over foreign policy issues, especially those relating to war. Article II of the Constitution makes the president commander in chief, responsible for the operation of the military in the field. Article I places the responsibility for declaring war solely in the hands of the Congress. This should be seen not only as giving Congress the power to make war but the responsibility to prevent unnecessary conflict. This arrangement was rarely challenged until after World War II. In 1950, Harry Truman used a United Nations resolution as justification for sending American troops to Korea and began a half century of presidents side-stepping congressional power to prevent war."
Tags: act, constitution, international, intervention, law, powers, war
Abstract This paper reviews the strengths and weaknesses of Japan's economy as shown in the Michael Porter book, "Can Japan Compete?" It focuses on the downturn in the economy since 1998 and how it came about and ideas on how it can turn around. It points to the involvement of Japan's government industry leaders in the mistakes they made in focusing too much on efficiency and market share rather than profitability and clear strategies for the future.
Table of Contents
1. Preface
2. Summary
3. Critique
4. Valuable Side
5. Weakness
6. Conclusion
From the Paper "This book is written by a leading authority on competitive strategy and international competitiveness, Michael Porter, and his colleagues, Hirotaka Takeuchi and Mariko Sakakibara, who have in-depth understanding of Japanese economic development. The authors try to uncover the magic behind this country. It outlines the steps that will be necessary to restore Japanese's economy and uplift the competitiveness of those uncompetitive sectors. And to provide a solution that challenges the conventional wisdom. The ultimate goal is to develop a new national economic strategy."
Abstract This paper looks at "Operation Allied Force" NATO's bombing campaign against Serbia during the Kosovo War in 1999. The history of the conflict is presented in detail, with particular attention being placed on the humanitarian needs of the population that was being devastated by this war. The author presents several arguments against the bombing, and discusses why these arguments are wrong, or do not apply to Kosovo. In addition to the human rights angle, the author also looks at the political reasons for NATO's intervention, first and foremost being, regional stability and the fear that the war would spread.
From the Paper "Detractors argue that the clear acceleration of Serb ethnic cleansing of Albanians in Kosovo that occurred concurrently with Operation Allied Force demonstrates that the war did not aid the Kosovars; however, given the ominous signs of ethnic cleansing, the argument is insupportable. After all, whether Serb atrocities and ethnic cleansing occurred over one month or six months is low impact. Although the Kosovars did suffer much before the end of the war, the war's ultimate result-- protection from Serb atrocities and the fall from power and trial of Slobodan Milosevic-- will allow the Kosovars to more securely recover from the harm that they have suffered, and be more secure in the future than they would have under continued rule by Milosevic."
Abstract This is a detailed examination of Stephen Ambrose, and Douglas Brinkley's book "Rise to Globalism" that deals with American foreign policy from 1938 through the Clinton administration. The author looks at the different styles of both authors, and the topics they they cover independently in the book and contrast their evaluation of U.S. foreign policy, with three other books that have been written by different historians on the same subject, in order to garner whether or not the information they are presented is accurate.
From the Paper "According to Brinkley, economically the U.S. changed from being self-sufficient to being dependent on other countries for economic success, especially the oil producing nations. In 1973 all of the United States was gripped in an oil crisis causing numerous economic problems and long lines as people waited to get what gas they could. And all of this was not produced by some sort of actual shortage of oiling the earth, but an angry OPEC, which was a group of middle eastern oil tycoons. OPEC put an embargo on the U.S. and thus our global reliance on other countries oil sent us reeling. Before our global expansion no other country had this much control over the U.S. and it's economy."
Abstract This paper displays how wartime production, increased demand for various products, a substantial availability of employment and an overall re invigoration of American patriotism refreshed economic conditions as the country enthusiastically embraced the war effort of WWII thereby exiting the war both as the victor and as one of the world's two super-powers, the other being the Soviet Union.
From the Paper "The new economic circumstances resulted in a new approach toward the American standard of living. Prior to the war, the American dream was popularly asserted as "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" or at least a similar variation on that ideal. The aftermath of World War II however, saw a hyper-compensation for the potential of disillusionment with strategic product placement, quality family programming on television and, generally speaking, a restoration of puritanical American traditional values."
Tags: american, cold, communism, culture, democracy, geopolitical, international, mccarthyism, red, relations, values, war, working, world
