88-320 Domestic Politics and International Affairs

9 units, Carnegie Mellon University

This course will provide students with a broad overview of the recent development in the literature of international relations, focusing on domestic determinants as well as consequences of foreign affairs. We will explore issues in both international security and cooperation. Specific topics include war, regime promotion, foreign aid, trade, and international treaties/organization. Rather than looking at international system at a macro level, this course aims to investigate the causes and consequences of foreign policies that have roots in domestic political institutions. For example, how does domestic politics constrain or encourage leaders to go to war, sign a trade pact, and send foreign aid? How can citizens incentivize policymakers to achieve desirable foreign policy goals? How do international affairs such as trade, foreign aid, and promotion of democracy affect our lives in a long-run? Do certain foreign policies affect citizens of a democracy and an autocracy differently, and if so, why?

Prerequisites: none listed

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