POL S 426 A: World Politics

Harold Lasswell, one of the most famous political scientists, described politics as a contest about who gets what, when, and how. World Politics is no different. We see conflict and cooperation in every sphere. We signal our politics in elections and in conversations. The choices we make as consumers are also political choices. Thus, we need to think of a more expansive notion of politics. Therefore, you will read and explore topics such as the Ukraine crisis, migration, climate change, trade politics, NGOs, foreign aid, and energy politics.

By the end of the course, I hope all of you will develop a more nuanced understanding of world politics and feel empowered to contribute to policy debates. Remember, participation by informed citizens in policy deliberation is essential for sustaining our democracy. Further, I hope this course and the broader UW experience will motivate you to think of politics and public service as your career.