Critically Evaluate at Least Two Positions that can be Found in Contemporary Debates about Just War Theory
The following essay will present an evaluation of the just war theory using the 1st Gulf war as a case study. The intervention reveals a number of issues regarding applying just war theory to contemporary conflict.
Liberal Peace Transitions: Towards a Post-Liberal Peace in IR?
It has become generally assumed that ‘Liberal Peace Transitions’ offer a way out of local, civil, regional and international conflict, as well as complex emergences and development problems. All military, humanitarian, diplomatic, political, economic, and social, interventions since the end of the Cold War have been geared to this programme – with limited success.
Kant’s Writings on the State of Nature and Coercion: The Domestic Analogy and the Level of Analysis
This essay argues that the early Kant largely followed the domestic analogy when describing the state of nature between individuals and states – directly affecting his views on coercion. The mature Kant however incorporated all the level of analysis into his writings and transcended but did not entirely abandon the domestic analogy.
Pursuing Peace with the Weapons of War: Ballistic Missile Defence and International Security
This paper will show that the implementation of ballistic missile defence systems is a threat to international peace and security. It will examine of the concept of ballistic missile defence, the cases for and against its implementation and the current realities that are of consideration and its role in international peace and security.
The Politics of Power and the Power of Faith: Retracing Martin Wight’s Legacy
Whilst disciples and collaborators such as Hedley Bull, Robert Jackson and Brian Porter speak of Marin Wight as a seminal thinker and erudite scholar, others such as Alan James claim that his influence on the discipline is limited. This paper proposes to assess Wight’s impact on the study of International Relations.
International Law and the Bush Doctrine
The Bush doctrine took shape throughout the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, developing in various speeches by the President and high ranking staff. This essay considers how the doctrine complimented, or challenged international law.
Weep for OPEC?
Representatives from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) are meeting in Vienna this week and the looming threat of Copenhagen is clearly on their agenda. I wrote “threat of Copenhagen” because OPEC states are primarily devoted to selling a commodity that is a significant source of climate change.
The Relationship between the Spread of HIV/AIDS and Inequality in Africa
HIV/AIDS a poses serious threat to public health around the globe. Africa in particular has suffered from the ravages of HIV/AIDS for decades and attempts at containing and eradicating the disease have missed important groups within African society.
Strategic Partnership or Contending Coalitions? An Analysis of EU-NATO Relations
Fundamental problems, both structural and political, continue to characterise the EU-NATO relationship as one of ‘contending coalitions’. Yet, recent shifts in the attitudes of major actors coupled with success in simultaneous operations suggest there is potential for a ‘strategic partnership’ to emerge.
Taking Celebrity Diplomacy Seriously in International Relations
Celebrities, both in the world of entertainment and business entrepreneurship, are vibrant and embedded actors on the global stage and as such, need to be taken seriously as a component of International Relations. Rather than being viewed as an unanticipated intrusion that diminishes the discipline, taking celebrity diplomacy seriously reveals IRs rich capacity for inclusion and adaptation.
