INRL 10010 FOUNDATIONS OF POLITICAL THEORY AND INTERNATIONAL

RELATIONS
Lecture Times
Tuesday 12:00 12:50
Thursday 11:00 11:50
Lecturers
Dr Graham Finlay (G301) Graham.Finlay@ucd.ie Office hours: 10-12 Wednesdays
Dr Tobias Theiler (G308) Tobias.Theiler@ucd.ie

Module coordinator
Dr Tobias Theiler (G308) Tobias.Theiler@ucd.ie

Tutorials
Tutorial registration must be completed online. For tutorial inquiries, the SPIRe Office is G 310. Tutorials
begin in Week Two.

Tutors
Samuel Almeida
samuel.almeida@ucdconnect.ie

Michele George
michele.george@ucdconnect.ie

Hasmik Grigoryan
hasmik.grigoryan@ucdconnect.ie

Kimberly Modica
kimodica@gmail.com

Sadhbh Oneill
sadhbh.o-neill@ucdconnect.ie

Tianyang Song
terence_song@outlook.com

Blackboard
There is a dedicated Blackboard site which carries this outline, overheads for some lectures and many other
useful resources, and where important announcements will appear. Keep an eye on it.
Assessment
40% of the grade for this module is based on continuous assessment through tutorials, which are almost weekly
(starting in week 2). This grade will include marks for attendance and essays. Your tutor will provide you with
further details.

60% of the grade is based on the final examination, which will feature a mixture of multiple choice and short
essay questions. To succeed in this module you need to attend lectures, read the texts, attend and take an active
part in tutorials, and work on essay writing and exercises. You will not succeed simply by attending lectures.

MODULE OVERVIEW

The module has two main parts: an Introduction to Political Theory and an Introduction to International
Relations. The first part of the module provides an introduction to political theory, focusing on changing
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conceptions and models of democracy, mainly through the thought of three challenging and influential political
thinkers, Aristotle, Mill and Marx. This part of the module focuses in particular on four key themes: the
meaning and relative importance of the political principles of liberty, equality and community; how much
political participation there should be; the social pre-conditions for democracy; and to what extent the kind of
democracy possible depends on how we think of human nature. The second part of the course offers an
introduction to the main issues in contemporary international politics. It first looks at the development of the
modern international system, focusing especially on the post-Cold War era. It then examines a range of
substantive issues that occupy students of contemporary international politics: war and other forms of inter-
state conflict, global trade and communication, migration, economic inequality, global environmental issues,
international integration, terrorism, human rights, and the role of multinational corporations and transnational
pressure groups.

THE MODERN STATE (Tobias Theiler)

(24 January): The origins of the state and of the international system
States in Ancient Greece and Renaissance Italy
Sovereignty
The origins of international law
The concept of international society
Readings:
Robert H. Jackson, The evolution of international society. In John Baylis and Steve Smith (eds.) The
Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations (2nd edition) (Oxford: Oxford
University Press 2001), pp. 35-50.
John T. Rourke, International Politics on the World Stage (9th edition). (New York: McGraw-Hill. Dushkin
2003), Chapter 8 (pp. 196-223).

(26 January): The international system until 1945

Colonialism
The First World War and the collapse of empires in Europe
The Second World War
Reading:
Susan L. Carruthers, International history 1900-1945. In Baylis and Smith (eds.) The Globalization of
World Politics, pp. 51-73.

FOUNDATIONS OF POLITICAL THEORY (Graham Finlay)

Texts
Required:
Aristotle, The Politics, (ed. T.J. Saunders Penguin, 1981) or ed. S. Everson (Cambridge, 1996)
John Stuart Mill, On Liberty and Other Essays, ed. J. Gray (Oxford University Press, 1998)
Marx texts are available through links on the Blackboard page for the module. You may want to buy:
Karl Marx, Later Political Writings, ed. T. Carver (Cambridge University Press, 1996)
Issues and aims
This part of the course provides an introduction to the history of political thought, focusing on changing
conceptions and models of democracy, mainly through the thought of three challenging and influential political
thinkers, Aristotle, Mill and Marx. Four themes run through this part of the course:
1. Political principles: What are the proper ends of government? What basic values and principles should
political life embody? The course concentrates on the ideas of liberty, equality and community.
2. Political participation: How much public participation should there be in government? Of what type, by
whom, within what kinds of structure? The course concentrates on arguments about eligibility for
citizenship and devices for enabling or controlling popular participation in government.
3. Conditions for democracy: What social conditions are helpful or unhelpful for achieving democratic
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ends? The course concentrates on issues of social diversity, economic inequality and political culture.
4. Human nature and society: What conception of human nature should we use in political theory? Should
we think of individuals as more or less independent of society or as more or less determined by it? The
course concentrates on issues of gender, class and diversity.
Schedule of lectures, topics and reading assignments

ARISTOTLE AND GREEK DEMOCRACY

(31 January): Background to Aristotle, including Plato.

(2 February) Human nature and society: Aristotle

Readings Aristotle, Politics, Bk I, 1, 2, 5, 12, 13; Bk II, 1, 2, 5; Bk III, 9 and 12; Bk VII 1, 8, 13, 15
(and some readings from Aristotles Ethics, Book I provided by link on Blackboard)
(7 February) Political values: Aristotle
Reading Aristotle, Politics, Bk II 3, 5, 7; Bk III 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13; Bk IV 1, 2, 4; 8, 9, 11, 15;
Bk V 1, 5; Bk VI 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; Bk VII 16, 17; Bk VIII 1.

(9 February) The conditions for democracy and polity: Aristotle

Reading Aristotle, Politics, Bk III 3: Bk IV, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11;
Bk VI, 2, 4, 5; Bk VII 4-12, 15, 16.

(14 February) Citizenship and participation; forms of government: Aristotle

Readings Aristotle, Politics, Bk II 2; Bk III, esp. 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11;
Bk VI 2; Bk VII, 2, 3, 14.

PART II: THE LIBERALISM OF JOHN STUART MILL

(16 February) Freedom of thought and discussion: J S Mill

Readings Mill, On Liberty Chs 1-2, esp. pp. 13-14, 20-23, 40-41, 51-53, 59.
Personal liberty: J S Mill
Readings Mill, On Liberty Chs 3-4, esp. pp. 62-82, 83-93.

(21 February) The case for democratic participation : J S Mill

Readings Mill, Representative Government Chs 1-4 and 16, esp. pp. 244-250, 257-264.

(23 February)Structures for participation and Liberty and equality: J S Mill

Readings Mill, Representative Government Chs 6-8, esp. pp. 302-303, 308-313, 333-338.
Mill: The Subjection of Women, esp. pp. 471, 499-501, 502-506, 524-526, 557-558.
Held, Chapter 3, pp.88-91 (111-115)

PART III: KARL MARX AND DEMOCRACY (Graham Finlay)

(28 February) Understanding society: the rule of money

Readings Communist Manifesto, section 1, Preface to a Critique of Political Economy

(2 March) The social conditions of democracy

Readings Communist Manifesto, sections 2 and 3.

(7 March) People power and participation in politics and the classless society
Readings Civil War in France, The Paris Commune, The Fall of Paris, Karl Marx, Later Political
Writings, Book version part 3 and 4.

(9 March) Summary and review

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Key issues and passages

Here is a table listing references for some key passages in the required texts. These are good places to start in
understanding their views. For your essays, you will want to do further reading as suggested under the lecture
headings and essay topics.

Topic Aristotle Mill Marx

Political Principles
Liberty VI, 2 pp. 59, 84-85 Civil War, The Paris
Commune, Book p.
187-8
Equality III, 9 pp. 499-501 Critique of the Gotha
Programme I, Book
p.214-215
Community I 2; III 9; VII, 13; VIII 1 pp. 148-149 Communist Manifesto,
online p. 27 Book, p.20

Political Participation
Who should participate? III 1, 4, 5, 6, 11 pp. 248-250 Civil War, The Paris
Commune, Book p.
181-195
Political structures I 1, 2; IV 8, 9; VI 4 pp. 333-335 Civil War, The Paris
Commune, Book p.
181-195
Conditions for democracy III, 11; VII, 4,5 pp. 260-263 Communist Manifesto
online p. 32, Book p.27
Human nature and society I 2; VII, 13 pp. 66, 494-497 Communist Manifesto
online p. 14-21, Book
p.1-12

The page numbers refer to the editions of the books mentioned above, or online if stated.

Advice for essay and examination writing for political theory

The suggested essay topics are for your own use, or for use in tutorials, to help you read or discuss the texts in a
critical and focused way. The issues recur throughout the history of political thought. You will, of course, be
expected to make appropriate use of the texts in your answer.
But remember to follow the logic of the argument: for the most part, it is better to proceed from one argument to
the next (with appropriate references to the various sources), not chronologically from one author to the next.
Earlier in the semester, it may be appropriate for you to concentrate on the writings of one thinker in an essay.
However, by the end of the semester, it should be possible for you to draw on two, or all three theorists, in
answering questions.
In any essay or exam answer you will be expected:
to define the terms you are using
to discuss different definitions of the main concepts under discussion
to set forth the central arguments of the position you are outlining
to evaluate the position you are outlining
to show you are aware of possible criticisms of your argument
to make appropriate use of texts

Grading Criteria
The main criteria used for assessing your essay and exam work will be:
Relevance Does your essay answer the question asked? Is everything in it relevant to the
question?
Structure Is your essay well structured and controlled? Does it have a clear direction and
cohesion?
Knowledge Does your essay show accurate knowledge of the authors studied in the course?
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Does it indicate that you have studied the required texts? Is it based on a narrow or
a wide range of knowledge of the texts?
Understanding How good an understanding of the authors and issues does the essay demonstrate?
Do you have a clear grasp of the problems and of how different authors have dealt
with them? Are your ideas clearly expressed?
Argument/ Does your essay show an ability to argue a point of view and to assess the strengths
Analysis and weaknesses of opposing arguments? Does it take an analytical approach, as
contrasted with a descriptive approach?

Main themes

ISSUE 1: Political principles

Essay topics:
Are liberty and community compatible, on Aristotle's view? Do you agree?
Explain Mills views on either liberty or sexual equality and say why you agree or disagree with him.
What did Marx mean by Communist society? Is it achievable?
Corresponding exam questions might be:
Liberty is the most important political value. Discuss.
Can a society be both free and equal?
Central texts:
Aristotle: The Politics Bks I 2, 5; III, 12; IV, 11; VII 2, 13
Mill: On Liberty, The Subjection of Women
Marx: Civil War in France, part 3, Critique of the Gotha Programme, part 1.

ISSUE 2: Political participation

Essay topics:
How important is participation in politics for Aristotle? Is his viewpoint convincing?
Do you agree with Mills response to the dangers of ignorance and class rule in democratic systems?
Outline and evaluate the Commune model of participation by citizens.
Corresponding exam questions might be:
The average person knows little about the affairs of state. Therefore he or she should have little influence on
government policy. Is this a strong argument against participatory democracy?
What are the best ways to protect ourselves against the dangers of mass rule?
Central texts:
Aristotle: Politics Bks III 4, 5, 9; VII, 1-3
Mill: Representative Government chs. 2-3, 6-8
Marx: The Civil War in France, parts 3 and 4.
ISSUE 3: Conditions for democracy
Essay topics:
Do Aristotle's conditions for a good polity have implications for modern democracy?
Does Mill correctly identify the conditions for democratic government?
Why does Marx think that real democracy cannot exist in a capitalist society? Give your opinion of his
view.
Corresponding exam questions might be:
Does democracy work only when people share certain values?
Can democracy thrive in a divided society?
Central texts:
Aristotle: Politics Bks III, 11; IV, 2-4, 11; V, 1, 5, 9
Mill: Representative Government Chs 1, 4, 16
Marx: Communist Manifesto, section 2 and 3, Eighteenth Brumaire, Section 7.
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ISSUE 4: Human nature and society

Essay topics:
Does human nature determine the possibilities of politics in the way that Aristotle maintains?
What are Mills assumptions about human nature? Do you agree with them?
What is the importance of work in Marx's understanding of society and the individual? Do you agree?
Corresponding exam questions might be:
Do different conceptions of human nature produce radically different political theories?
Are any of the essential differences between men and women politically relevant?
Central texts:
Aristotle: Politics Bks I, 2, 12; VII, 13
Mill: On Liberty ch 2, The Subjection of Women ch 1
Marx: Communist Manifesto, part 1; Introduction, Grundrisse; Preface to Critique of Political Economy
Further readings
The following books are available in the Library (except where noted otherwise). You may find them useful at
some point, but remember, your key task is to develop your ideas about the issues and authors based on your
reading of the set texts.
Histories of political thought and other introductions to political theory
Coleman, Janet, A History of Political Thought: From Ancient Greece to Early Christianity
Hampsher-Monk, Iain, A History of Modern Political Thought
Miller, David, Political Theory: A Very Short Introduction
Strauss, L. and J. Cropsey, History of Political Philosophy
Sabine, G.H., A History of Political Theory
Swift, Adam, Political Philosophy: A Beginners Guide for Students and Politicians
Hampton, Jean, Political Philosophy
Wolff, Jonathan, An Introduction to Political Philosophy
Political ideas
Goodin, Robert and Philip Pettit (eds.), A Companion to Contemporary Political Philosophy
Miller, David (ed.), The Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Political Thought
McKinnon, Catriona, Issues in Political Theory
Barry, Brian, Political Argument
Williams, Raymond, Keywords
Rosen, Michael and Jonathan Wolff (eds.), Political Thought
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy - online at http://plato.stanford.edu/
Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy Online (Access via UCD Library List of Library Databases)
Aristotle
Barnes, Jonathan, Aristotle: a very short introduction
Barnes, J., M. Schofield and R. Sorabji (eds.), Articles on Aristotle, 2: Ethics and Politics
Kraut, Richard, Aristotles Political Philosophy (not yet in Library)
Mulgan, R.G., Aristotle's Political Theory
Nichols, Mary, Citizens and Statesmen: a study of Aristotle's Politics
J S Mill
Riley, Jonathan, Mill on Liberty
Ryan, Alan, J.S. Mill
Skorupski, John, Why Read Mill Today?
Thompson, Dennis F., John Stuart Mill and Representative Government
Marx
Carver, Terrell, The Cambridge Companion to Marx
Elster, Jon, Making Sense of Marx
Graham, Keith, Karl Marx, our contemporary
Maguire, John, Marxs Theory of Politics
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McLellan, David, The Thought of Karl Marx, an Introduction

Wolff, Jonathan, Why Read Marx Today?
Democracy
Dahl, Robert A., On Democracy
Dahl, Robert A., Democracy and its Critics
Dunn, John, Democracy: the Unfinished Journey
Lively, Jack, Democracy
See also under Resources in the Blackboard site for the module

INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (Tobias Theiler)

Overview
This part of the module offers an introduction to the main issues in contemporary international politics. The
first couple of lectures briefly examine the evolution of the international system from the end of the Second
World War to the present. We then turn to a range of substantive issues that occupy students of contemporary
international politics: war and other forms of inter-state conflict, global trade and communication, migration,
economic inequality, global environmental issues, international integration, terrorism, human rights, and the
role of multinational corporations and transnational pressure groups.

Readings
This part of the course uses no single textbook. Each lecture corresponds to one or more short book chapters,
as listed below. You must read them, preferably before each lecture. However, you should not limit yourself
to this selection. The library houses many books and articles that are relevant to the topics covered in this
course. In particular, you should make yourself familiar with the journal section in the library. Publications
such as World Politics, International Affairs, International Organization, and the Review of International
Studies are valuable sources. In the field of European Integration, try the Journal of Common Market
Studies and the Journal of European Public Policy, among others. If you are not sure whether a given book
or article is suitable, or if you have difficulties finding material, please come and see either one of us.

LECTURE SCHEDULE

(28 March: The international system 1945-1990

The rise of the superpowers and the origins of the Cold War
The division of Europe
Decolonization and the universalization of the state
Reading:
Len Scott, International History 1945-1990. In Baylis and Smith (eds.) The Globalization of World
Politics, pp. 74-91.

(30 March): From the end of the Cold War to the present
The end of the Cold War and the disintegration of the Soviet Block
9/11
State-collapse in the Middle East
Readings:
Richard Crockatt, The end of the Cold War. In Baylis and Smith (eds.) The Globalization of World Politics,
pp. 92-110.
Michael Cox, International history since 1989. In Baylis and Smith (eds.) The Globalization of World
Politics, pp. 111-127.
Rourke, International Politics on the World Stage, pp. 34-52.

(4 April): Nationalism and international politics

The concept of nationalism
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Nation-states and non-nation-states

Nationalism as a force in international politics

Reading:
Rourke, International Politics on the World Stage, Chapter 6 (pp. 135-162).

Fred Halliday, Nationalism. In Baylis and Smith (eds.) The Globalization of World Politics, pp. 440-455.

(6 April): Power and diplomacy

What is power and how to measure it?
The distribution of power in the international system
International diplomacy
Readings:
Rourke, International Politics on the World Stage, Chapter 10 (pp. 261-297).
Brian White Diplomacy. In Baylis and Smith (eds.) The Globalization of World Politics, pp. 315-330.

(11 April): War and international security

War in history
War and technology
Arms races and the global arms trade
Arms control
Terrorism
Reading:
Rourke, International Politics on the World Stage, Chapters 12 AND 13 (pp. 329-399).

(13 April): The United Nations

Role and structure of the UN
Proposals for UN reform
Readings:
Rourke, International Politics on the World Stage, Chapter 9 (pp. 224-263).
Paul Taylor, The United Nations and international order. In Baylis and Smith (eds.) The Globalization of
World Politics, pp. 331-355.

(18 April): International law and human rights

Forms of international law
Enforcement of international law
Human rights: definition, enforcement and dispute about their universality
Readings:
Rourke, International Politics on the World Stage, Chapter 11 (pp. 298-328).
Chris Brown, Human Rights. In Baylis and Smith (eds.) The Globalization of World Politics, pp. 599-614.

(20 April): Transnationalism and regional integration

Types of transnational actors and processes
The impact of transnational processes
International integration and regional organizations
Readings:
Peter Willets, Transnational actors and international organizations in global politics. In Baylis and Smith
(eds.) The Globalization of World Politics, pp. 356-383.
Rourke, International Politics on the World Stage, Chapter 7 (pp. 163-328)..

(25 April): International political economy: trade and the international economic division of labour
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International economic institutions (WTO, IMF, World Bank)

Global inequality, poverty and economic development

Readings:
Rourke, International Politics on the World Stage, Chapter 16 (pp. 462-494).
Caroline Thomas Poverty, development and hunger. In Baylis and Smith (eds.) The Globalization of World
Politics, pp. 559-581.
Eric Jones The Euro and the Financial Crisis Survival. 51/2 2009.

(27 April): Summary and Overview