The University of South Florida International Politics and World Politics Discussion Questions

After reading the assigned chapters (Intro. and Chs. 1-3, & 5), answer two of the following questions. Then, reply to three classmates’ threads.

Questions:

1. What is the difference between international politics and world politics? Discuss also the main principles of liberalism, realism, constructivism, and Marxism.
2. What are the arguments in favor of and against globalization? What are some major characteristics of the Westphalian and post-Westphalian orders and how do they relate to globalization? 
3. What do you understand by the unipolar moment? Should Russia and China be seen as a threat to the West? Can they remain peaceful. Please, explain.
4. Excluding globalization, what were the most important changes in the idea of international order? Has much changed at all? Is “international order” just a cover for power politics? Why or why not?
5. What brought about the Cold War? What were the differences between the reasons the US became involved in Korea and the reasons for its involvement in Vietnam?
6. Do today’s emerging powers mean the end of the Third World? Are China and India great powers and how does the former challenge the existing international order? Please, explain.

Threaded Discussion Requirements:

• You are required to answer two of my questions, thus starting two new discussion threads for other students to reply. 
• Each answer to my questions should be in at least 300 words, totaling 600 words for both answers.
  • Greetings or compliments will not be counted toward the length requirement of each thread. 
• Each answer should be posted separately.
  • Thus, you should have two separate threads for each discussion.
• You are required to use the textbook as the primary course of information.
• External source may be used to enrich your responses; however, such use should be secondary.
• Your answers should demonstrate to me that you have both engaged and critically thought about the readings.
• You are required to reply to at least three other students’ discussion threads.
• Each reply to your classmates’ threads should be in at least 100 words, totaling at least 300 words for all three replies.
  • Each reply should be substantial and discuss related ideas or concepts
  • Greetings or compliments will not be counted toward the length requirement of each thread or reply.