After completing the course:
- students have gained knowledge of and insight in the functioning of international organisations in particular historical contexts;
- students are able to study the intricacies of national and international politics as well as the inner workings of international organisations;
- students have acquired knowledge of the main developments and questions of international politics since the French Revolution as far as political issues, conventions and institutions are concerned.
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Since the French Revolution, nation-states have dominated international politics. Even today, two centuries later, the hegemony of a few great powers, conference diplomacy, the dichotomy of power politics and international law remain characteristic of world politics. Nevertheless, noticeable changes have taken place: functional and sectoral intergovernmental organisations, initiatives for arbitration and supranational cooperation and, last, but not least, the emergence of international NGOs have modified the very essence of international politics.
The course offers a historicised overview of the above developments. Hence, the focus is not on current theorising on international relations, but rather on the views and perceptions of contemporaries. As part of this course, case studies will be selected and studied in-depth. Possible case studies include not only diachrone trends or specific institutions, but also policy fields in international diplomacy such as slave trade or statelessness.
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