Political Science

This course provides a critical examination of key issues and processes related to the international relations of China. The focus of the course is on developments since the end of the Cold War, with a particular emphasis on the rise of China and its various implications for international politics. As protestors in the summer of 1989 gathered in Tiananmen Square to demand greater political rights, it appeared as though the changes that swept Europe with the collapse of Soviet Union were being replicated in China. Nearly two decades on, the Chinese Communist Party remains in power, having successfully negotiated the end of the Cold War and built the foundations for China's rise as a Great Power in the world. China is now integrated into the world economy and has played important political roles. Yet, China meanwhile seems to be vulnerable as well. Many Western observers have been expecting the collapse of People's Republic of China, as they argue that the regime lacks legitimacy since it is not built upon an electoral/democratic system. The riots that took place in Tibet in 2008 and in Xingjian in 2009 to a certain degree reflect the fragility of the PRC. In addition, China's rise appears threatening to many people. Foreigners often worry that China's rapid development presents a threat to the stability of the current world order. Military and political tensions between China and Japan could undermine the stability of the Northeast Asian region for instance. As such, this course attempts to contemplate the following three questions by examining the rise of China, both in theoretical and empirical terms: Is China's rise a real phenomenon, and what are the characteristics of China's rise, if any? Is the rise of China an opportunity or a threat, and how should we analyze it? How should the world manage China's rise? In short, this course draws considerable insight from international relations and comparative political theory to make sophisticated and nuanced analysis of China's ascent.

This course provides an introduction to peace and justice in world affairs. Both concepts have many meanings and are used in many different ways. The course examines what they have meant in the context of an international order of sovereign states, and how ideas about peace and justice are changing as this international order is transformed by the forces of globalization. It begins by examining the meaning of peace and justice in the Westphalian system of sovereign states, the system through which international life has been organized in the modern era. The course then moves on to discuss the changes in the twentieth century that challenged the state-centric conception of peace and justice with the growing significance of non-state actors as agents shaping world affairs, and as objects of international legal and ethical concern. Sub-state insurgent groups, transnational terrorist networks, international non-governmental organizations and civil society groups, and international organizations such as the United Nations, are all covered as important players alongside states as agents of war and peace, or justice and injustice. Perhaps the most important expression of this change has been the rise of human rights discourse, which has provided an alternative normative language that rivals state sovereignty as the dominant framing of international justice. This course critically evaluates the Westphalian model, asking how peace and justice might be achieved among sovereign states and how much we might realistically expect. It also asks how far Westphalian norms have been eroded by recent developments in international life, and whether a post-Westphalian international order is a good thing. Students explore these central questions by looking at the most influential ways they have been approached in international relations theory, international ethics, and international law.

This course considers the importance of political identities in understanding recent events that have turned the world upside down, such as the new “indignation” protests (Occupy, Indignados, Yellow Vests) and the emergence of populism (Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders, Syriza, Front National). The course covers how ideologies are formed in these movements as well as the role of political dispute in winning hearts and minds. The course introduces, develops, and critically engages key concepts of Discourse Theory. In particular, the course, referring to a wide range of sources, including post-structuralism and psychoanalysis, explains how political identities are discursively constructed on antagonisms and how different discourses dispute the hegemony of the construction of these identities. The course tries to conciliate two moments. Firstly, a theoretical part, which presents the ontological presuppositions of Discourse Theory as well as key concepts such as antagonism, hegemony, ideology, affect, fantasy, and enjoyment. Secondly, a more practical part, devoted to the application of Discourse Theory in the analysis of empirical cases, showing how the tools encountered throughout the classes open a productive path towards studying contemporary political phenomena.

The course provides an introduction to Swedish politics. Topics discussed include the political system in general, the constitution, the government, and the multiple Swedish political parties. Both historical and contemporary perspectives are employed in the course. Emphasis is on the role of Sweden as a small country in a global context, and as a member of the European Union and the United Nations. Swedish attributes, such as the “Swedish Model” and the policy of neutrality, are analyzed from an historical perspective as well as with reference to the present situation. Special attention is dedicated to policies concerning issues of gender, refugees, and ethnic pluralism.