International Relations

This course deals with the impact of nationalism on international relations.

The resurgence of national and ethnic conflicts since the end of the Cold War has made it vital for students of international relations to have a proper understanding of what is certainly one of the major forces to have shaped the contemporary world. The assumption on which this subject is based is that an appreciation of the way in which nationalist doctrine and practice have influenced the formation of states and their policies is a necessary ingredient in any serious study of twentieth century politics.

This course is designed to help the students address the following issues

1. What is nationalism and why has it come to occupy such a central position in modem political life?
2. What is the relationship between nationalism and the three other ideologies? — Liberalism, Marxism and Fascism — whose confrontation has dominated twentieth century politics?
3. How has nationalist thought and practice influenced the organisation of international society and conflict and co-operation between states since 1945?

The Course Routes and Course Modules available for the study of International Relations at AUOL are shown here: