International Organizations Video Series Introduction

Michael Rossi
International Organizations
Department of Political Science
Program in International Relations
Long Island University Brooklyn

The Introduction to the video lecture series on International Organizations, taught at Long Island University Brooklyn Fall 2020.

This course explores the form and function of international organizations, and different theoretical approaches and understandings of international organization. Classic arguments stem from Liberalist theories of international relations pertaining to interstate cooperation, collective action, and attempts at creating an “international society”. More recently, approaches to international organization have also focused on the role of globalization not only from economic standpoints, but also from cultural, social, political, and institutional points of view. Additionally, a number of global challenges and crises that require the collective action of states and societies necessitate an understanding of the role international organizations play.

We begin by defining international organization in the classic sense and situate it in the context of mainstream and critical international relations theories. We then examine the role of specific international organizations like the United Nations, NATO, and the European Union. Subsequently, we will examine international organization in three thematic areas: security, political and economic development, and globalization. These three areas should not be treated as separate approaches, but should, and will, overlap in many cases, examples, and conceptual frameworks.

With this in mind, the three central questions posed in this course are:

1) How do we define and conceptualize the term “international organization”?
2) Why do states join international organizations?
3) What can we predict about the future development of international organization?

While assigned readings are taken from a series of standalone chapters and journal articles, the primary text used in class is:

Karns, Margaret P., Karen A. Mingst, and Kendall W. Stiles, International Organizations: The Politics & Processes of Global Governance, third edition (Boulder, Colorado: Lynn Rienner Publishers, 2015).

This class stands as a "sequel" of sorts to my course on International Relations - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCFS2rj-qIVZLbIVLrUx8cXEDAn4RgGVB

As well as a precursor to my course in the United Nations - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCFS2rj-qIVa2ZD-dVkYwALMD2dVTK_vJ

Видео International Organizations Video Series Introduction канала Michael Rossi Poli Sci