Module description
The world is in flux. The 21st century is witnessing a rapid transformation of the structures underpinning global politics. Among recent changes to the global order, three stand out: the growing absolute power yet relative decline of the world’s only superpower, the United States; the reconfiguration of the most successful contemporary economic and – increasingly – political organisation, the European Union; and the increasing diplomatic, economic and military power of a growing number of Asian states, especially but not only China. This module addresses the ongoing evolution of contemporary global politics by analysing the continuities and changes in the relationship between the US, the EU and Asia’s powers – divided into Transatlantic, Transpacific and Eurasian relations. The module will pay particular attention to the extent to which key events have shaped these relations in recent decades, including the end of the Cold War, the Asian Financial Crisis, the terrorist attacks of 9/11, China’s accession to the WTO, the Global and Eurozone sovereign debt crises, the United Kingdom’s vote to leave the EU, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The module will discuss how these and other events have shaped the politics of the US, the EU and Asia’s powers, bringing change to their relationship and – as a result – a transformed global order.
The module will be divided into three parts. Firstly, an introduction will lay out the key concepts, actors and structures underpinning global politics. Secondly, the main part of the module will analyse Transatlantic, Transpacific and Eurasian relations to reference the key global governance structures. Finally, a concluding session will discuss the future of global politics based on changes over the past three decades and its current state.
*Please note that module information is indicative and may change from year to year.
Assessment details
One 700-word briefing note (15%) and one 2,500-word essay (85%)
Educational aims & objectives
The aim of this module is for students to understand and evaluate the recent history and present state of global politics. In particular, students will learn how key events have shaped the politics of the US, the EU and key Asian powers – in turn affecting the relationship among them and, as a result, the structure of global order. By the end of the module, students should also be able to make an informed analysis of how global politics might evolve in the future.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module the student will be able to:
- demonstrate knowledge of the recent history and current state of global politics;
- demonstrate knowledge about the reasoning, principles, aims, goals and instruments of the foreign policy of the US, EU and key Asian powers;
- understand how key international events affect domestic politics which, in turn, affect global politics;
- evaluate the scope, delivery and limitations of the foreign policy of the US, EU and Asian powers;
- present orally an analysis of key aspects of global order;
- work cooperatively with others to analyse, understand and explain key aspects of global order.
Teaching pattern
Two hours per week, one lecture and one seminar
Indicative teaching schedule
Introduction
Week 1: Introduction: Global Politics
Week 2: Key Actors: US, EU and Middle Powers
Week 3: Global and Regional Governance Structures
Transatlantic, Transpacific & Eurasian Relations
Week 4: Transatlantic Relations: US and Europe's Security
Week 5: Transatlantic Relations: US, EU, and the Shaping of Global Capitalism
Week 6: Transpacific Relations: US, China, and Hegemony in Asia
Week 7: Transpacific Relations: US-East Asia Economic Interdependence
Week 8: Eurasian Relations: Transcontinental Security Dynamics
Week 9: Eurasian Relations: The Search for Economic Connectivity
Conclusions
Week 10: Past, Present and Future of Global Politics
Note that this teaching schedule is indicative and subject to change.
Suggested reading list
- Alcaro, Riccardo, John Peterson and Ettore Greco (eds.), The West and the Global Power Shift: Transatlantic Relations and Global Governance (London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2016). Cox, Mick, and Doug Stokes (eds.)US Foreign Policy, 3rd ed. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2018).
- Diesen, Glenn, and Alexander Lukin (eds.), The Return of Eurasia: Continuity and Change (London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2021).
- Doyle, Timothy and Dennis Rumley, The Rise & Return of the Indo-Pacific (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2019).
- Hill, Christopher, Michael Smith and Sophie Vanhoonacker (eds.), International Relations and the European Union, 4th ed. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2023).
- Khoo, Nicholas, China’s Foreign Policy since 1978 (Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, 2020). Yahuda, Michael, The International Politics of the Asia-Pacific, 4th ed. (Abingdon: Routledge, 2019).