The events of 11 September 2001 demonstrated the vulnerability of states to the threat posed by terrorists. The subsequent US-led ‘war on terrorism’, however, has focused not only on non-state actors willing to commit acts of violence to achieve political ends, but also against ‘rogue states’ and transnational criminals. International Relations scholars and practitioners are discussing the nature of these ‘outlaws’ and where they are situated within the International Relations literature.
This module focuses on the contribution of the English School conception of an interstate society to explain the role of outlaws in the international relations of East Asia. Students will acquire an in depth knowledge of both of International Relations theory and practice. Students will employ this knowledge to understand and interpret how interstate societies define and respond to threats posed by ‘outlaws’.
The course is divided into four sections. In the first section, students will examine the contribution of the English School to International Relations theory and debate the extent to which the English School’s conception of an ‘interstate society’ can be applied to the East Asian region, what the pitfalls of applying this conception might be and how those pitfalls might be overcome.
In the second, third and fourth sections, students will use the theoretical knowledge gained at the start of the course to interpret the behaviour of politically motivated outlaws, economically motivated outlaws, and so-called rogue states. Specifically, the second section will distinguish between terrorism and separatism in the East Asian region. The third section will examine piracy and transnational crime in East Asia. The fourth section will evaluate the extent to which North Korea, Vietnam and Myanmar can be labeled as ‘rogue states’. Although many of the actors and states studied in this course are located in Southeast Asia, this course will focus on how these ‘outlaws’ relate to or have been tackled by Japan, China and South Korea.
The issues addressed in this course will have relevance to a number of disciplines. Students should draw on previous work they have done in other academic fields and demonstrate their knowledge in seminars, as well as in their assessed work. It is also hoped that students will apply the knowledge they gain through studying theories and issues in the international relations of East Asia to other courses they are taking.
Students will be expected to use additional sources to those in the suggested reading list.
Timetable
Second semester, two hours per week. See time table for time and location.
Method of Instruction
Lectures and seminars
Course objectives
This module aims to provide a critical examination of key issues and processes related to the international relations of East Asian states from the perspective of the English School. The focus of this module is on developments since World War Two, but with a particular emphasis on the post-Cold War period. By the end of the module, students will be able to:
*Demonstrate an understanding of the complex issues and processes related to defining outlaw behaviour in the interstate society of East Asia. Students will also assess to what extent the concept of an interstate society can be usefully applied to the East Asian region. *Apply conceptual tools to analyze the impact of outlaws upon the interstate society of East Asia and evaluate interstate responses to outlaws. *Demonstrate appropriate cognitive, communicative and transferable skills, develop the capacity for independent learning, critique major texts on the English School and on the international relations of the East Asian region, and participate in class debates.
Required reading
*Bull, Hedley (2002), The Anarchical Society – A Study of Order in World Politics, Third Edition, Basingstoke and New York: Palgrave. *Buzan, Barry (2004), From International to World Society? English School Theory and Social Structure of Globalisation, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. *Buzan, Barry and Little, Richard (2000), International Systems in World History – Remaking the Study of International Relations, Oxford: Oxford University Press. *Bellamy, Alex, J. (ed.) (2005)_ International Society and its Critics_, Oxford: Oxford University Press *Linklater, Andrew and Suganami, Hidemi (2006) The English School of International Relations – A Contemporary Reassessment, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press *Litwak, Robert, S. (2000), Rogue States and U.S. Foreign Policy – Containment after the Cold War, Baltimore, Maryland: The John Hopkins University Press. *Hoffman, Bruce (1998), Inside Terrorism, London: Victor Gollancz. *McCormack, Gavan (2004), Target North Korea – Pushing North Korea to the Brink of Nuclear Catastrophe, New York: Nation Books. *Eklöf, Stephan (2006) Pirates in Paradise, Copenhagen: Nordic Institute of Asian Studies
Examination
*One essay of up to 3,000 words (35%) * Participation in classes, discussions, and one debate (20%) * A final exam (35%) * Attendance (10%)
Information
For further information about the course, please contact Dr. L. Black ( l.black@let.leidenuniv.nl).
Enrollment
Enroll in time for this course via U-twist. Niet ingeschreven, betekent geen toestemming tot het volgen van dit college. Zie ook ‘Aanmeldprocedures voor colleges en tentamens’ inschrijvingsdeadlines en meer informatie over in- en uitschrijven voor colleges.
Blackboard/webpage
A handbook denoting weekly readings will be posted on blackboard the week before the start of the semester.
Enrollment
For enrollment, visit the website Blackboard( <http://www.blackboard.leidenuniv.nl/>). Then click on: courses > Faculteit der Letteren > China, Talen en Culturen van > 2008-2009 > Registreer/enroll.
Overview
*Week 1 – Introduction to Outlaws of the International Society of East Asia – identifying, assessing, and responding to outlaws *Week 2 – The English School and its Critics *Week 3 – Theorizing the International Society of East Asia *Week 4 – The Interstate Societies of East Asia – the historical contribution of the English School *Week 5 – Defining Outlaws in the Interstate Society of East Asia *Week 6 – Politically motivated violent outlaws I: Terrorism *Week 7 – Politically motivated violent outlaws II: Separatism *Week 8 – Economically motivated violent outlaws I: Pirates *Week 9 – Economically motivated violent outlaws II: Transnational Criminal Organizations *Week 10 – Rogue States I – North Korea *Week 11 – Rogue States II – Vietnam and Myanmar *Week 12 – Conclusion