Question #9

Rosenblum notes on p. 245 of the paperback edition: "The only way to keep them [the space-residing humans, who are phenotypically different even though they are genetically the same] safe is to be separate. A nation with the power to protect its own." Hence, sovereignty protects difference, in this way of thinking about things. Do you agree?

Question #8

As a diplomat, should you focus on advancing the interests of your home country, or should you focus on getting the best outcome for the world as a whole? What if these two goals conflict -- which should predominate?

Question #7

Do powerful countries have any particular obligations towards less powerful countries? How about rich countries in relation to poorer ones?

Question #6

What might it mean to "win" in actual world politics (as opposed to in a board game simulating some aspects of world politics)?

Question #5

Think back on our game of Diplomatic Risk. How did you go about trying to win the game? What resources or opportunities would you have needed in order to fulfill your objectives?

Question #4

Are there issues in world politics that cannot, even in principle, be resolved through diplomatic means? In other words, are there limits to diplomacy?

Question #3

Should states care about the performance of their national team at a global sporting competition, such as the Olympics or the World Cup? Why or why not?

Question #2

Short of war, how might a state and its authorized diplomatic representatives work to achieve some broadly desirable goal, like the promotion of human rights or democracy?

Question #1

Would the world be a more peaceful place if everyone spoke the same language? Think here specifically about issues of communication and diplomacy.

Greetings

This is the class blog for the NSLC "International Diplomacy" course in the first session of Summer 2010 (SIS-102 N11/N12). This blog will be the primary way that enrolled students keep the class discussion going outside of the classroom, and also the way that students will fulfill the "online engagement" portions of their semester grade.