1

HINTS: POLI 1015 Research Essay DUE: Friday 8 June (2,500 words essential) CRITICAL APPROACH TO UNDERSTANDING PEACE, WAR AND INTERNATIONAL POLITICS: In your research essay, you might like to include the following: It does not have to be in this order. Explain the significance of the question you are exploring. Keep coming back to it to remind the reader that you are answering the question. Provide examples or case studies that show the broad international scope of your question. Keep balancing a broad general overview with concrete, particular examples. What are varying theoretical responses to the question? Eg realism, liberalism, constructivism, feminism, liberal peace theory. How do they contradict or overlap and how do you evaluate these contrasting perspectives? Which theory are you utilising? What are the broader ethical issues invoked by your topic? Issues like morality, norms, harm, international humanitarian law, human rights, just war theory, aid, justice, equality. Explore what lies behind your personal assumptions in answering the question (not just your opinions or feelings) and provide well-informed reasons for your arguments (the reasons for your beliefs are what we are looking for as well as how well you defend the argument) supported by a wide range of literature. Ideally, your argument should flow throughout your essay (not tagged on at the end). Choose one of the following questions: 1. To what extent are the legacies of colonialism responsible for the economic devastation and political instability that exists in many poor conflict-ridden states? What is colonialism? What are its main legacies? What was the role of cash crops rather than food for communities? What is the association between poverty, political instability and conflict? As a student of international relations, how do you understand the impact of the legacies on people's lives? How is trafficking/slavery a factor? What are the inequalities between the Global North and South? Use some specific examples. What is your main argument that answers the question? 2. Use two contemporary conflicts to explain why politics turns to violence. Justify your choice of two contemporary conflicts. Why have you chosen them? Why does politics turn to violence in your examples? Is there a strong association between extremist nationalism, ethnic conflict and fundamentalist religion? Are there ideological differences or fights over territory and resources? Is war associated with poverty? Are there weak or failing states? How is politics understood in your examples? Is there an active civil society and room for dissent and an open media? Can you make suggestions for what is needed in your examples for conflict not to erupt into violence, like the liberal peace theory? What is your main argument that answers the question? 3. When is military action justified as humanitarian intervention? What is a humanitarian intervention? What does it mean to say there is a responsibility to protect? What is just war theory? How important is the UN? Contrast some examples of when military action has been justified as humanitarian intervention and when it is an invasion of sovereignty? What are some of the conflicts around state sovereignty? What are some of the conflicts within international law around legality and morality? What is involved in military action to save lives? What is your main argument that answers the question?
1

4. Use international relations theories to explore different approaches to moving from violence to peace in long-term conflicts. Critically contrast different international relations theories responses to national security, human security, collective security, conflict and threats to peace. What are the strengths and weaknesses with different theoretical positions when you apply them to actual cases? What is peace; is it merely the stopping of violence or does it need to address root causes of violence? Apply the theories to some practical examples that demonstrate a movement from violence to peace. Examine the benefits of dialogue, negotiation, diplomacy and engagement over coercion or confrontation. What is your main argument that answers the question? 5. How significant is the United Nations Security Council resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security to world politics? Summarise briefly the rationale for this resolution. Why was the resolution needed? What are its main features and objectives? How might a resolution that is specific in its orientation have an impact on world politics? What are the gendered effects of war? Does womens exclusion from peace processes matter? Select aspects of the resolution to demonstrate why it has been significant when it is implemented. What is your main argument that answers the question? 6. In what way is the Arab Spring significant for global politics? What is the Arab Spring? Why did it begin? Why is it continuing? How broad is it? What are the connections with the Arab Spring and global politics? Is it likely to continue? What has been its short-term impact and what is its likely long-term impact? Consider the role of repression, media restriction, one-party regimes and gender inequalities on popular uprisings. Consider the importance of Islam on world politics. Select some examples to demonstrate why growing numbers are willing to struggle for democracy and human rights. What is your main argument that answers the question?
REMINDERS:

Please write the essay question and your name at the top. Your introduction is very important. Tell the reader what you intend to do. Then develop an argument that is well-supported by reasons and evidence gained from diverse academic literature. Provide a clear conclusion that pulls together the threads of your argument. Please use 1.5 or double space. Please define key concepts clearly, giving a range of different understandings. Read widely books, chapters, academic journal articles (remember the ereader on learnonline and the reading list and web sites in the study guide). 75% participation in tutorials or online discussions is an ungraded requirement. Mere submission of 3 assignments is not sufficient to pass. Some of you have not fulfilled this requirement and thus are at risk of not passing.

In this assignment, you should use a minimum of 8 references, with at least 6 academic journal articles, chapters or books. An argument that is supported BY WELL-RESEARCHED EVIDENCE is the basis to an excellent RESEARCH ESSAY.
2