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Academic Year 2000/2001


Democracy and Foreign Policy
GOVT 390 SP

While the growing number of democracies in the post-Cold War world has been lauded by most observers, serious questions about the ability of democratic nations to formulate and implement reasoned and appropriate foreign policies remain. Some commentators contend that domestic processes such as public opinion, regular elections, and legislative oversight prevent democracies from coping with complicated and nuanced foreign policy challenges in the quick and circumspect manner required to protect a nation's interest. The first half of the course examines the processes of democratic foreign policy formulation. The second half will discuss these issues with reference to case studies of foreign policy decisions written by the class. Cases will include both economic and security issues and United States and non-United States cases.

MAJOR READINGS

Case Studies written by the class
Melvin Small, DIPLOMACY AND DEMOCRACY
Articles from FOREIGN AFFAIRS

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

One major paper, three short papers.

Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS GOVT    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-26-2001


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