Developing countries in international relations 2104-GPIR-D2DCIR

https://kampus-kursy.ckc.uw.edu.pl/course/view.php?id=7562 (term 2025L)

1. The Developing Countries – description and problem of definitions. Third Countries, Developing Countries, Global South. Critiques of the terminology.
2. Developing Countries and International Relations Theory. Realism, liberalism, constructivism. Dependency theory and world-systems theory. Postcolonial and Global South perspectives on IRNon-Western school of international relations.
3. Political systems of developing countries. Governance structures and institutional capacity. Legitimacy, authoritarianism, democratization. Nation-building challenges.
4. Demographic trends in developing countries. Population change. Median age. Migration patterns. Sex ratio. Urbanisation.
5. Economic Development Strategies. Development models: ISI, export-led growth, neoliberal reforms. Effects of globalization: trade, FDI, global value chains. Economic inequality within and between countries. International trade.
6. Foreign Policy Strategies. Non-alignment, regional balancing, soft power etc. Domestic constraints on foreign policy.
7. Security Challenges. Civil conflict, terrorism, and fragile states. International peacekeeping (UN, AU, ECOWAS). Resource conflicts and border disputes
8. South–South Cooperation and North-South Cooperation. BRICS and BRICS+ as rising coalitions. Regional organisations.Prospects for a multipolar world order

Term 2024L:

1. The Developing Countries – a Description and problem of definitions. The genesis, background and circumstances of definition “developing countries”. Third Countries, Developing Countries, South. The essence and main features of developing countries. The economic, political and cultural diversity of the Developing Countries. Current ideologies in the developing countries.
2. Developing Countries and International Relations Theory. The problem of developing countries, South-North division in contemporary (classical and new approach) international relations theories. An attempt at explaining the divide South-North in the context of theoretical approaches in international relations. Immanuel Wallerstein Vision of World, dependency school, globalism in IR. International relations studies in developing countries. Visions of World presented by Non-Western school of international relations.
3. Classification and systemization of security threats in the Developing Countries. Security factors in the Asia-Pacific region. The modernization of military forces, the arms race in the developing countries. The nuclear programmes and conventional weapons. International arms control regimes in the Developing Countries. Divisions of states. Failed States – The definition of failed states, its implications for security. Terrorism and security in the Developing Countries. Territorial disputes and conflicts concerning Developing countries. New type of conflicts in post-Cold war era. Conflict prevention and management in the Developing countries.
4. Democratization and Human Rights in the Developing countries. Political systems and problems of human rights following cold war in the developing countries. Internal displaced persons, refugees, ethnic cleanings in Developing countries. International courts – assessment of activities in developing countries. Asian values, islam and human rights in developing countries.
5. Developing Countries – Economic, ecological challenges and problems. Migrations, demographic problem, water, famine, debt in the developing countries. Transformation of economies in the developing countries following cold war. Structure of economies, GDP, Foreign Direct and Portfolio investment in Developing countries. Liberalization and globalization – implications for developing countries. Developing countries and international financial and trade institutions (IMF, World Bank). Sustainability development in developing countries. Energy security (importance of oil, gas and coal for economies of developing countries).
6.International trade system and developing countries. International trade system in the 90s – implications for developing countries. Subsidies, liberalization of agricultural trade. Intellectual property protection. Doha Round. Visions and concepts of international trade – developing countries perspectives.
7. Cooperation of Developing countries. Circumstances and factors concerning the creation of cooperation between developing countries. Non-alignment Movement in 90s. New form of cooperation following the end the cold war - IBSA Forum, G-4, G-20. Common Identity of Developing Countries? Constraints of cooperation of Developing countries. New regionalism in developing countries (Africa, Asia, Latin America): ASEAN, MERCOSUR, Africa Union; subregional organizations.
8. Emerging Powers (India, China, Brazil, South Africa) in the Developing Countries. Developing countries and international relations system. Major-Power Aspirations of Developing Countries: India, Brazil, South Africa. New Policy of India, Brazil, China at the turn of 21st Century. Constraints and challenges for aspirations of developing countries.
9. U.S., EU, Russia, Japan international strategies towards developing countries. The activity of the U.S., EU, Russia and Japan in the Developing Countries – circumstances and factors. The new U.S., EU, Japan and Russia approach to the developing countries since 1989.. The role of the U.S., EU and Japan in the developing countries – an assessment and comparative analysis.
10. The Importance of the Developing Countries in International Relations in the 3rd decade of the 21st Century. International relations in the developing countries – assessment and prospects for the future. Rivalry between powers in the region. Developing countries and globalization. The identity of Developing Countries. The South-South and South-North relations – implications for future international relations.

Term 2025L:

None

Prerequisites (description)

The course serves as an introduction to studies on developing countries place in international relations. It covers diverse areas from political through economic up to environmental.

Course coordinators

Term 2024L:

Tomasz Łukaszuk

Term 2025L:

Aleksandra Jaskólska

Type of course

obligatory courses

Mode

Classroom

Learning outcomes

Knowledge:
Students will gain basic knowledge of the legal, economic and cultural context of entering Asian markets and the opportunities and challenges of working in a business environment.
Skills:
The student can analyse political and economic developments in developing countries.
Awareness:
The student is aware of challenges faced by developing countries.
Additional skills:
Knowledge of current situation in developing countries.

Assessment criteria

Project - 30%
Exam - 70%

Practical placement

Bibliography

1. Acharya, A. (2014). Global international relations (IR) and regional worlds: A new agenda for international studies. International Studies Quarterly, 58(4), 647–659. https://doi.org/10.1111/isqu.12171
2. Acharya, A., & Buzan, B. (2010). Non-Western international relations theory: Perspectives on and beyond Asia. Routledge.
3. Tickner, A. B., & Blaney, D. L. (2012). Thinking difference: International relations theory and the global south. Routledge.
4. Burnell, P., & Randall, V. (2017). Politics in the developing world (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.
5. United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. (2024). World population prospects 2024: Results. United Nations. https://population.un.org/wpp/
6. Stiglitz, J. E. (2003). Globalization and its discontents. W. W. Norton & Company.
7. Snyder, G. H. (1997). Alliance politics. Cornell University Press.
8. Hudson, V. M. (2014). Foreign policy analysis: Classic and contemporary theory (2nd ed.). Rowman & Littlefield.
9. Additional reading will be provided by the instructor for specific topics covered in class.

Term 2024L:

1. L. Fawcet (ed.), The Third World beyond the Cold War, Oxford 2000 (access: Polish Institute of International Affairs, PISM Library, Warecka 1a)
2. S.G. Neumann (red.), International Relations Theory and the Third World, New York 1997 (PISM Library)
3. R.H. Jackson, Quasi-States: Sovereignty, International relations, and the Third World, Cambridge 1994 (PISM Library)
4. Persistent Poverty in Developing Countries: Determining the causes and closing the gaps, Queenstown 1998 (PISM Library)
5. P. Evans, Economic Governance Institutions in a Global political Economy: implications for developing countries, UNCTAD, 1999 (PISM Library)
6. J. Glenn, Global Governance and the Democratic Deficit: stifling the voice of the South, “Third World Quarterly” 2008, no 2 (PISM Library)
7. Economic freedom as a measure of development?, w: Zeszyty Studiów Doktoranckich nr 20, Poznań 2005. http://www.katbank.ae.poznan.pl/_p/k.nawrot.pdf
8. K. Zajączkowski, The Relations Between the European Union and the Countries of Sub-Saharan Africa Following the End of the Cold War, „Hemispheres. Studies on Cultures and Societes” 2005, no. 20, Polish Academy of Sciences (PISM Library)
9. K. Zajączkowski, The Policy of the European Union towards the Countries of Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP). Implications for Poland, "Yearbook of Polish European Studies" 2006, nr 10
10. Jakub Zajączkowski, India’s Position in International Relations at the Turn of the Century, „Acta Asiatica Varsoviensia”, Warszawa 2005, PAN, p. 105-122 (PISM Library)
11. Amit Gupta, The U.S.–India Strategic Relationship: Strategic Partnership or Complementary Interests?, February 2005, URL – www.carlise.army.mil
12. B.C. Smith, Understanding Third World Politics: theories of political change and development, Bloomington 2003 (PISM Library)
13. P. Calvert, S. Calvert, Politics and Society in the Third World, Harlow 2001 (PISM Library)
14. A. Sumner, Foreign Direct Investment in Developing Countries: have we reached a policy 'tipping point'?, “Third World Quarterly” 2008, no 2 (PISM Library)
15. I. Taylor, Globalisation studies and the developing world: making international political economy truly global, “Third World Quarterly” 2005, no 7 (UW Library on – line)
16. T.M. Shaw, A.F. Cooper, A. Antkiewicz, Global and/or Regional Development at the 21st Century? China, India and (South) Africa, ‘Third World Quarterly” 2007, no 7 (PISM Library)
17. D. Khosla, Third World States as intervenors in ethnic conflicts: implications for regional and international security, “Third World Quarterly” 1999, no 6 (UW Library on-line)
18. S.R. Chowdhury, Neo-Statism in Third World Studies: a critique, “Third World Quarterly” 1999, no 6 (UW Library on-line)
19. Ch. Alden, M.A. Vieira, The new diplomacy of the South: South Africa, Brazil, India and trilateralism, “Third World Quarterly” 2005, no 3 (UW Library on-line).
20. K. Sridharan, G-15 and South-South cooperation: promise and performance, “Third World Quarterly” 1998, no 3 (UW Library on-line)
21. J.-P. Therien, Beyond the North-South divide: the two tales of world poverty, “Third World Quarterly” 1999, no 4 (UW Library on-line)
22. C. Grant, Equity in International Relations: a Third World Perspective, “International Affairs” 1995, no 3 (UW Library on-line)
23. P.M. Regan, E.A. Henderson, Democracy, Threats and Political Repression in developing countries: are democracies are internally less violent?, “Third World Quarterly’ 2002, no 1 (UW Library on – line)
24. Selected articles from: ‘Washington Quarterly’ (http://www.twq.com/info/archives.cfm )
25. Selected articles from : ‘International Relations of Asia-Pacific’, ‘Foreign Affairs’, ‘International Affairs’ (UW Library, PISM Library)

Term 2025L:

None

Additional information

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Description of 2104-GPIR-D2DCIR in USOSweb