Practicing with Perspectives

Week Three Due Thursday. Comment on at least two classmates’ posts by end of week. Remember, these are 3-paragraph essays.

Realism, Liberalism, Marxism and Constructivism are theories about how the international system works. Let’s put these “world views” into practice. They each try to explain (in their own way why) states go to war, why governments implement policies, and why NGOs and people in society take particular actions.

Let’s try to explain these international events and actions through the lenses of these perspectives. Below is a list of real (or made up) events. Your job is to decide which of our four perspectives best gives the event meaning, or best explains WHY it happened. Most times more than one perspective has something to say about the activity.

Here is an example: In 2020, Iran constructs a facility to enrich uranium a key component of advanced nuclear weapons.

OK: Which perspective best explains why this happened?

My first thought is…. Realism. Why? Realists believe that every state is out for itself. Military strength is a key part of this power projection, and if Iran succeeds in possessing nuclear weapons, it will be able to wield more influence in the region, and even on the global stage.

Keep in mind that Constructivism also works to explain Iran’s actions… so two people could have two different answers.

That was easy, right? Now it’s your turn. Choose the example that fits your last name and suggest which perspective best explains the action. Then, be sure to read two other people’s posts about a different example – and offer a helpful comment.

Each year, the government of France disburses development aid (money) to Senegal [Choose this one if you last name begins with A-D]

Pakistan forbids American hip-hop music to be played in public [Last name E-I]

Factories in Bangladesh, making shoes for Nike corporation, hire 10 year-old children and maintain poor working conditions [Last name J-M]

In November, the NGO Greenpeace will participate in the annual UN Climate Change conference in Belem, Brazil [Last name begins with O-R]

Brazil complains that countries from Latin America and Africa are not being treated fairly in the latest trade negotiations with the WTO – the World Trade Organization [Last name S-Z]

My last name is Gustafson so do the Pakistan prompt.