Political Studies 196

Political Studies 195 Thomas Ilgen

Senior Seminar Fall 2005

AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY: GLOBAL LEADER OR IMPERIAL POWER

The end of the Cold War and the emergence of Globalization have prompted a vigorous debate about what role the United States should play in global affairs. Some argue that with the collapse of the Soviet Union, the United States should assert its role as the sole superpower and exercise greater influence, economic, political, and military, in all parts of the world. Others claim that the costs of a global role are too high and the outcomes too uncertain; the United States should retreat from globalism and embrace isolationism in order to address pressing problems at home. Still others call for continuing American global leadership and involvement but only after reassessing the goals and the instruments of foreign policy because American interests have changed as have the avenues to achieve them. Long time critics of American foreign policy claim that Washington's intervention abroad has repeatedly produced outcomes detrimental to nations and peoples it aimed to assist and therefore American policy-makers should resist the temptations of a superpower and permit others to sort out their own problems.

This seminar is designed to engage this debate by exploring the legacy of American foreign policy and globalization through a series of common readings, short critical essays and discussion over the first half of the semester. Students are expected to read the assigned materials before the weekly seminar and to come to class with a short (3-4 pages) critical essay which addresses a problem or question raised by the reading. During the second half of the semester, students will research a particular case of post Cold War American foreign policy intervention and present their research findings first in the form of an oral presentation to the seminar and then as a twenty-five page research paper. There will be no final exam. Grades will be determined as follows: short critical essays, 25%; attendance, participation and discussion, 25%, oral presentation and final paper, 50%. In a seminar that meets only once a week, attendance is extremely important. You are expected at every meeting; if you are ill or an emergency arises, please let me know before class.

The following books have been ordered: W.R. Mead, Special Providence; J. Nye, Soft Power; N. Ferguson, Colossus: The Price of America’s Empire; C. Kupchan, The End of the American Era; Robert Cooper, The Breaking of Nations; Jean-Francios Revel, Anti-Americanism; and Robert Kagan, Of Paradise and Power. These books are available in the bookstore.

Office Hours, T 4-5:30, W 10-11:30 and by appointment.

Office: Bernard 216

Office Phone: 73774

Home Phone: 626-5800 (not after 10PM please)

email: tilgen@pitzer.edu

FAX: (909) 621-8481

Week 1-August 31. Introduction

Week 2-September 7. The Historical Legacy of American Foreign Policy

Reading: W. R. Mead, Special Providence: American Foreign Policy and How

It Changed the World (entire)

Week 3-September 14. America in a Unipolar World

Reading: C.J. Ikenberry, America Unrivaled, Introduction, Chapters 1,2,4,5,7,Conclusion

Week 4-September 21. Power in the Era of Globalization

Reading: J. Nye, The Paradox of American Power (Entire)

Week 5-September 28. The Consequences of American Power

Reading: C. Johnson, Blowback: The Costs and Consequences of American Empire

Week 6-October 5. September 11 and the Challenge of Terrorism

Reading: P. Pillar, Terrorism and U.S. Foreign Policy

Week 7-October 12. The Sustainability of American Empire

Reading: A. Bacevich, American Empire

Fall Break: October 17,18.

Week 8-October 19. The End of Empire?

Reading: C. Kupchan, The End of the American Era

Week 9-October 26-Student Presentations

Week 10-November 2-Student Presentations

Week 11-November 9-Student Presentation

Week 12-November 16-Student Presentation

Week 13-November 23-25: Thanksgiving (No Class)

Week 14-November 30-Student Presentation