Integrating Project Seminar (395-0-21)

Meeting Info

Annenberg Hall G28: Tues, Thurs 12:30PM - 1:50PM

Overview of class

Social Pressure in World Politics: Global Norms, Democracy, and the Politics of Global Rankings

States regularly engage and interact with one another through diplomatic exchanges, economic negotiations, and military cooperation or disputes. Political actors, however, are not purely strategic decision-makers; they are also social beings guided by ideas, identities, and self-conceptions. Governmental officials, diplomats, and bureaucrats at international organizations operate within a global environment where certain policies and behaviors are viewed as more legitimate or appropriate. Yet these international norms and ideas are not universally agreed upon—they are often subject to debate, contestation, and reinterpretation.

This course examines how international social pressures shape states' domestic and foreign policies. We begin by exploring foundational theories about international norms and legitimacy, emphasizing the relevance of democracy and democratic ideas within the international order. We then analyze empirical cases illustrating how social pressures and informational influences operate, focusing primarily on democratic rankings and election standards, while giving secondary attention to global pressures related to regimes' economic performance. The course critically engages key literature on global rankings, evaluating how they are produced, their intended and unintended consequences, and debates regarding their biases. Finally, we discuss critical responses and backlash against these international pressures and rankings, and reflect on their broader implications for international politics and policymaking.

Class Attributes

Attendance at 1st class mandatory