The Comparative Study of Foreign Policy
Political Science W3961
Professor R. Legvold
Fall 2006
This
course is an exploration of foreign policy as both a crucial element of
international politics and a crucial product of domestic politics. Above all,
it is an attempt to understand the nature and sources of contrasts in foreign
policy. Comparison will serve as our primary tool: Comparison of foreign policy
from different historical eras, in different international settings, and by
states with different political systems and at different stages of political
and economic development.
Course
Requirements: In addition to the following assigned reading and an
hour examination on October 11, members of the class are expected to write a
substantial research paper on a comparative theme. You may compare the general
foreign policy of two or more countries or specific aspects of foreign policy
involving two or more countries. There, of course, must be a basis for the
comparison, but the subject can be anything from the critical characteristics
of a state's behavior over long periods of time to the way different states
handle a particular issue or feature of contemporary international
politics. The paper should be 35-45
pages, double-spaced, and is due on the first day of the exam period.
Reading
materials: Only one book has been ordered for purchase:
Office
Hours: Wednesday 4:15-6:00 (Sign up Sheets at Reception, Harriman Institute)
Office:
1226 International Affairs Building
Telephone:
854-5426 E-Mail rhl1@columbia.edu
Reading Assignments
Ikenberry, G. John, “Introduction,” in G.
John Ikenberry, ed., American Foreign Policy:
Theoretical Essays. New York: Harper Collins, 1989, pp. 1-12. [E840 .A634]
Pastor, Robert, ed., Introduction, A Century's Journey (New York:
Basic Books, 1999).
Holsti, K.J., International Politics.
Seventh edition, Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, 1995, Chapter 11
("Explanations of Foreign Policy"). [JX1305 .H6 This
book is on College Reserve. There is also a copy in Lehman circulation.]
III. Explanation in Political Science and
Comparison as a Method: September 20
Elster,
Jon, Nuts and Bolts (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1989),
Chapters 1 and 2, pp. 3-21. [H61 .E434 1989, both on reserve Lehman and in
George,
Alexander L, “Case Studies and Theory Development: The Method of Structured,
Focused Comparison,” in Paul Gordon Lauren, ed., Diplomacy: New Approaches
in History, Theory and Policy (New York: The Free Press, 1979).
Eckstein, Harry, “Case Study and Theory in Political Science,” in Fred
I. Greenstein and Nelson W. Polsby, eds., Handbook
of Political Science, vol. I (Reading:
Addison-Wesley, 1975). [Lehman Social Work Reserves JA71 .G752]
Mohan, C. Raja, “
Trenin, Dmitri, “
Christensen, Thomas J., “Fostering Stability or Creating a
Monster?”, International Security, Vol. 31, no.
1 (Summer 2006), pp. 81-126.
*Pastor,
Robert, A Century's Journey (New York: Basic Books, 1999), and two chapters
on any two countries. After reading sufficiently to know which two countries
offer an interesting comparison, select two chapters, and prepare a outline of the comparison you wish to make. Some of you
will be asked in class to describe the comparison that interests you, using
this outline as the basis of your comments.
No assigned
reading
Hunter,
Dominguez,
Jorge I., To Make a World Safe for Revolution (Cambridge: Harvard
University Press, 1989), pp. 1-146, 219-47. [F1788 .D59]
Lustick, Ian S., Unsettled States,
Disputed Lands:
Katzenstein, Peter J., “Same War -- Different
Views:
Callahan,
William A., “Beyond Cosmopolitanism and Nationalism: Disasporic
Chinese and Neo-Nationalism in
Risse-Kappen, Thomas, “Public Opinion,
Domestic Structure, and Foreign Policy in Liberal Democracies,” World
Politics, Vol. 43 (1991), pp. 479-512.
Golob, Stephanie R., ”Beyond the
Policy Frontier: