REALISM VS. LIBERALISM ASSIGNMENT
Rationale: This assignment will be worth 10 percent of your final grade. It is designed to capture your writing and analytical skills.
Due Date: Your typewritten work should be uploaded to the class Blackboard page by Monday, March 2nd at 4:30 p.m.
Length: All writing should be less than 2 written pages maximum.
Instructions:
Use your knowledge of Liberalism and Realism to answer the following questions. You can use the class notes, the book, references from below, or your own sources.
Answer each question to the best of your ability. I expect each answer to be original (written by you) and thoughtful.
Grammar and punctuation matter. This is a writing assignment designed to assess your ability to communicate effectively.[unique_solution]
Referring to class notes or other material to support your arguments is important. You will pass if you just answer the question, but to make a good grade you must offer evidence or reasons for why you say what you do. So give references if needed. I do not care about the referencing style (any style is ok).
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In a speech last year, American President Donald Trump etc., made the following comments about globalism. The following link contains the article about the speech and a video of the speech itself.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/24/donald-trump-un-address-denounces-globalism
Answer the following questions after viewing the article and the video.
- Explain the following statement by Trump. Do you believe it is Realist or Liberal, and why?
[Globalism has] “exerted a religious pall over past leaders causing them to ignore their own national interests.”
- Trump also said, “Wise leaders always put the good of their own people and their own country first.”
- What other evidence does Trump offer in the speech to suggest that liberal institutions do not work?
- Is there any other evidence for whether Trump is a Realist or Liberal? Explain.
- UN Secretary General appears to disagree with Trump. What do you think his viewpoint is? Is he a Liberal or a Realist? Why?
- Do you feel that you are more of a Liberal or a Realist? Give at least two reasons why you feel this way.
Resources:
Realism entry in Stanford Dictionary. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/realism-intl-relations/
“Niccolo Machiavelli: The Prince (excerpts). Available at: https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/prince-excerp.asp
Liberalism in on the e-IR website: https://www.e-ir.info/2018/02/18/introducing-liberalism-in-international-relations-theory/.
Kant: A Compressed 500-word summary. Available at: http://deadmenblogging.blogspot.com/2015/04/a-compressed-500-word-summary-of_8.html.