Global Politics- Final Assignment

Please answer any three of the following six questions.

1). What accounts for the gap in wealth between rich and poor states? Why do some states develop while others are left entrenched in poverty?  In answering this question, be certain to explore the development theories (e.g. Dependency Theory) and development policies (e.g. Import Substitution Industrialization and Export Oriented Industrialization) that we covered in class.

2). Democracy has had a good run: At the beginning of the 19th century there was just one Democratic state in the world (the United States).  Fast forward to 2020, and (according to Freedom House) there are 115 electoral democracies on the planet.  Describe historical trends in the global spread of democracy.  Focusing specifically on the 21st century, is democracy still spreading globally?  Has the spread of democracy peaked?  Or has it begun to retrench from the global stage?  Mounk and Foa (The End of the Democratic Century) highlight certain international factors that might affect the trajectory of democracy in the 21st century – what do you make of their argument?

3). Does nuclear proliferation represent a fundamental threat to global security?  If so, what should be done about it?  In answering this question, be certain to explore the arguments of both proliferation optimists and proliferation pessimists.

4). Following the events of September 11, 2001, terrorism became a central policy focus in many states – especially in the realm of security policy.  What policy options are available for addressing international terrorism?  Which policy option should be pursued and why?

5). In 2021 President Joe Biden hosted a Summit for Democracy – A virtual summit that included the leaders of 110 different countries, most of which were democracies.  Prior to the start of the summit, the White House released a “Fact Sheet” suggesting that: “The United States has long worked to strengthen democracy and advance respect for human rights.  Not only is this the right thing to do, it is in the United States’ national security interest, because strong, rights-respecting democracies are more peaceful, prosperous, and stable.”

What, if anything, is the relationship between democracy and international peace?  In this light, is Democratic Peace Theory compelling?

6). Human rights violations occur with unfortunate regularity.  These violations can be committed during acts of international aggression.  They can also be perpetrated by governments against their own populations. Does the International Criminal Court offer a robust policy solution to the outbreak of human rights atrocities?  What steps can the International Criminal Court take?  What are the limits to the International Criminal Court?  What alternative policy instruments are available to the international community to address human rights concerns?

The technical features:

• Please submit your completed exam as a single Word document or pdf (i.e. your three separate answers should be included in one document (with your answer to each question being a separate self-contained essay in that document)).
• Your answers will be vetted through turnitin.com.
• Your answer to each question should be between 3-5 full pages (double spaced, times new roman, 12-point font).  Since you will be answering 3 questions in total, your complete exam should be between 9-15 full pages (double spaced, times new roman, 12-point font).