POLI3500 · Political Science

Seminar: International Politics of Rising Powers

Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences

This course is class-restricted to juniors and seniors. Would China's rise lead to a war with the U.S.? What would be the optimal strategy of the U.S. vis-a-vis China in the 21st century? This seminar offers multiple theoretical perspectives on rising powers and power shifts to help students find their own answers to these pressing questions in U.S. foreign policy. First, it considers the role of both rising powers and power transitions as a potential source of great power war as well as other factors that affect the likelihood of a major war. Second, it investigates these issues from a range of international relations theories, including systemic and mid-range ones, and through historical case studies of continental and maritime power transitions. Lastly, drawing on previous theoretical and empirical examinations, it concludes with an effort to understand ongoing economic and naval power shifts between the U.S. and China, their implications for U.S. foreign policy, and the conditions under which the two powers may arrive at a strategic settlement or war for the remainder of the 21st century.