1. What is the main critique of the traditional theories of IR from feminist IR theory, Marxist
theory, and foreign policy analysis? Which of these three alternative theories do you find most
persuasive and why?
2. Explain the logic of free trade as a key component of economic liberalism and explain how free
trade is supposed to benefit states. Why have these benefits not been fully realized for many
countries?
3. Identify an actual war or conflict happening in the world in 2022. Classify it as either interstate,
intrastate, or extra state and explain how this conflict fits the five trends in conflict we discussed
in Week 5.
4. Why do states find cooperation so difficult even if it is in their mutual interest to cooperate? How
do international organizations help states overcome obstacles to cooperation they commonly
face?
5. Discuss the challenges the international community faces when it comes to monitoring and
policing human rights practices. Do you believe the world is getting better or worse at protecting
the human rights of individuals?
6. The stakes were high at the recent COP27 global climate change conference, but as we discussed
in class, states face many obstacles when it comes to global environmental governance. Discuss
these obstacles and explain why, in the area of climate change, states find it particularly difficult
to engage in meaningful policies and practices to address this issue.
