Government and Politics

Course summary

Climate change activists: ‘prophets of doom’ or ‘champions of the environment’? These diverging views from the most recent US presidents demonstrate the intricate nature of many of the questions considered in the Global Politics course - for example, who gets to decide how we should deal with climate change? Are protest movements now more powerful than states as agents of change? The course’s main themes are; ● Rights and Justice ● Development and sustainability ● Peace and Conflict Within these themes, many other issues of contemporary significance such as migration, diplomacy, conflict resolution, human rights law and sovereignty are studied through a case study approach. In every one of these areas, it will be seen that even those problems which appear simple are, in reality, far more complex, multifaceted, and interconnected than they seem. Delivering food aid to alleviate famine, for instance, is a humanitarian act which saves lives, but it can also create a cycle of aid dependency that is hard to break in the long term. Intervening in a conflict zone to keep the peace is desirable in the first instance, but when does peacekeeping become an oppressive occupation which causes more problems than it solves? Enforcing human rights globally can improve standards of living and save lives, but it can also create deep resentment amongst people who feel that their traditions are not being respected. There are plenty of difficult questions in Global Politics, but no simple answers. London is a truly global city, and we encourage Global Politics students to take full advantage of the many events put on by think tanks, political parties and universities. A programme of external speakers at the student-led Politics Society helps students to develop their understanding of the subject beyond the curriculum, for example giving insight into the history of the Liberal Party, National Populism or the Mexican Drug Wars. Studying Global Politics is excellent preparation for several degree courses. As well as International Relations, PPE, Law, and Politics, applicants for History, Economics, Anthropology, Development Studies, Geography, and Philosophy will gain much from the study of Global Politics. The department provides university preparation sessions for those interested, seeking to stretch the students and develop their skills of debate, analysis and independent thinking. Furthermore, as well as the Politics Society, students also run a Politics Book Club and produce a Politics magazine giving plenty of opportunities for super-curricular development.