Great power rivalry is a critical concept that frames current perceptions of international affairs around China's rise, Russia's resurgence and the United States relative decline. This graduate course goes beyond the traditional focus on the U.S., China, and Russia by providing a comprehensive overview of the shifting dynamics in global power politics of the 21st century. It will explore the involvement of smaller, rising powers in the international order, such as India, Brazil, South Africa, Turkey, Gulf countries and Indonesia. The course will examine each rising power's foreign policies and strategic priorities, their economic and military capabilities, and how these shape how they engage and compete in the global
order.
The course will take a multidisciplinary approach, drawing on political science, international relations, economics, and security studies, and will encourage students to critically analyze the fundamental concepts, theories, history and practices of great power rivalry in the 21st century.
In addition to weekly student presentations, students will participate in in-class simulations of specific case studies.