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Russia and International Organisations
Study Course Description
Course Description Statuss:Approved
Course Description Version:5.00
Study Course Accepted:19.02.2024 12:27:25
| Study Course Information | |||||||||
| Course Code: | PZK_167 | LQF level: | Level 7 | ||||||
| Credit Points: | 5.00 | ECTS: | 7.50 | ||||||
| Branch of Science: | Politics | Target Audience: | Political Science | ||||||
| Study Course Supervisor | |||||||||
| Course Supervisor: | Gunda Reire | ||||||||
| Study Course Implementer | |||||||||
| Structural Unit: | Faculty of Social Sciences | ||||||||
| The Head of Structural Unit: | |||||||||
| Contacts: | Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szf rsu[pnkts]lv | ||||||||
| Study Course Planning | |||||||||
| Full-Time - Semester No.1 | |||||||||
| Lectures (count) | 10 | Lecture Length (academic hours) | 2 | Total Contact Hours of Lectures | 20 | ||||
| Classes (count) | 10 | Class Length (academic hours) | 2 | Total Contact Hours of Classes | 20 | ||||
| Total Contact Hours | 40 | ||||||||
| Part-Time - Semester No.1 | |||||||||
| Lectures (count) | 7 | Lecture Length (academic hours) | 2 | Total Contact Hours of Lectures | 14 | ||||
| Classes (count) | 7 | Class Length (academic hours) | 2 | Total Contact Hours of Classes | 14 | ||||
| Total Contact Hours | 28 | ||||||||
| Study course description | |||||||||
| Preliminary Knowledge: | Overall knowledge of the methods and major theories of international relations, as well as general knowledge of the post-WWII history. | ||||||||
| Objective: | The objective of this study course is to synthesize Russia’s domestic and international policy trends, and identity struggles both internally and externally in order to achieve an accurate and deep understanding of contemporary Russia’s policies and activities in international organisations, its goals, challenges and working methods. We will focus on three variables. Firstly, Russia’s domestic resources or capabilities. Secondly, environment – regional and global. Thirdly, the ambitions of the leadership. During the course, we will examine Russian policy toward the United States, Europe, China, and the so-called former Soviet states in the context of international organisations. This study course provides a context-rich and historically informed understanding of the key concepts that continue shaping Russia’s foreign policy. Instead of being organized chronologically or geographically, the course is divided into conceptual clusters that tackle the most enduring, contested and ambiguous categories that form the core of Russian foreign policy discourse and are reflected in Russia’s policies and activities in different international organisations. It examines Russia’s role and relationship with the UN, NATO, EU, OSCE, Council of Europe, Arctic Council, Eurasian Economic Union, Commonwealth of Independent States, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and Collective Security Treaty Organisation, covering a wide range of issue areas. Throughout, it considers the political, economic and security interests that shape Russia’ foreign relations, conception of multilateralism and activity in multilateral settings. | ||||||||
| Topic Layout (Full-Time) | |||||||||
| No. | Topic | Type of Implementation | Number | Venue | |||||
| 1 | Introduction. Russia’s Foreign Policy as the Continuation of Domestic Politics by Other Means | Lectures | 1.00 | auditorium | |||||
| 2 | Russia’s Doctrine of Foreign and Security Policy | Lectures | 1.00 | auditorium | |||||
| 3 | Instrumentalising International Organisations: The Role of Multilateralism in Russia’s Foreign Policy | Lectures | 1.00 | auditorium | |||||
| 4 | The Centrality of the United Nations in Russian Foreign Policy | Lectures | 1.00 | auditorium | |||||
| 5 | Neither Friend nor Foe? Workable relations with Europe | Lectures | 1.00 | auditorium | |||||
| 6 | Mismatched Relations. Russia, US and NATO | Lectures | 1.00 | auditorium | |||||
| 7 | Russia as a Co-manager in International Institutions? Russia - China Cooperation | Lectures | 1.00 | auditorium | |||||
| 8 | Russia as an Active Architect. Regional Organisations in the Post-Soviet Space | Lectures | 1.00 | auditorium | |||||
| 9 | The Human Rights Card. Russia in the UN, CoE and OSCE | Lectures | 1.00 | auditorium | |||||
| 10 | Russia’s Desire for Expansion and Buffer Zones in Agendas of International Organisations | Lectures | 1.00 | auditorium | |||||
| 11 | Russia’s Perspective on the Concept of Multilateralism. Literature discussion. Paper presentations | Classes | 1.00 | auditorium | |||||
| 12 | External Threats in Russia’s National Security and Defence Documents. Literature discussion. Paper presentations | Classes | 1.00 | auditorium | |||||
| 13 | Russian Involvement in the Syrian Civil War: UN Security Council Example. Literature discussion. Paper presentations | Classes | 1.00 | auditorium | |||||
| 14 | From “Agents” to “Undesirable”: perspective for International Organisations Registered Outside of Russia. Literature discussion. Paper presentations | Classes | 1.00 | auditorium | |||||
| 15 | 6 Years: Russian Narrative in the United Nations General Assembly General Debate. Literature discussion. Paper presentations | Classes | 1.00 | auditorium | |||||
| 16 | Give and Take? Russia-EU Energy Cooperation. Literature discussion. Paper presentations | Classes | 1.00 | auditorium | |||||
| 17 | Future Enlargement Plans of NATO to Ukraine and Georgia: Four Perspectives. Literature discussion. Paper presentations | Classes | 1.00 | auditorium | |||||
| 18 | Russia’s Tools of Influence in Regional International Organisations. Literature discussion. Paper presentations | Classes | 1.00 | auditorium | |||||
| 19 | Frozen Dreams: Russia in the Arctic Council. Literature discussion. Paper presentations | Classes | 1.00 | auditorium | |||||
| 20 | Three Scenarios of Russia’s Role in Institutionalized Global Governance. Literature discussion. Paper presentations. Wrap-up | Classes | 1.00 | auditorium | |||||
| Topic Layout (Part-Time) | |||||||||
| No. | Topic | Type of Implementation | Number | Venue | |||||
| 1 | Introduction. Russia’s Foreign Policy as the Continuation of Domestic Politics by Other Means | Lectures | 1.00 | auditorium | |||||
| 2 | Russia’s Doctrine of Foreign and Security Policy | Lectures | 1.00 | auditorium | |||||
| 3 | Instrumentalising International Organisations: The Role of Multilateralism in Russia’s Foreign Policy | Lectures | 1.00 | auditorium | |||||
| 4 | The Centrality of the United Nations in Russian Foreign Policy | Lectures | 1.00 | auditorium | |||||
| 5 | Neither Friend nor Foe? Workable relations with Europe | Lectures | 0.50 | auditorium | |||||
| 6 | Mismatched Relations. Russia, US and NATO | Lectures | 0.50 | auditorium | |||||
| 7 | Russia as a Co-manager in International Institutions? Russia - China Cooperation | Lectures | 0.50 | auditorium | |||||
| 8 | Russia as an Active Architect. Regional Organisations in the Post-Soviet Space | Lectures | 0.50 | auditorium | |||||
| 9 | The Human Rights Card. Russia in the UN, CoE and OSCE | Lectures | 0.50 | auditorium | |||||
| 10 | Russia’s Desire for Expansion and Buffer Zones in Agendas of International Organisations | Lectures | 0.50 | auditorium | |||||
| 11 | Russia’s Perspective on the Concept of Multilateralism. Literature discussion. Paper presentations | Classes | 1.00 | auditorium | |||||
| 12 | External Threats in Russia’s National Security and Defence Documents. Literature discussion. Paper presentations | Classes | 1.00 | auditorium | |||||
| 13 | Russian Involvement in the Syrian Civil War: UN Security Council Example. Literature discussion. Paper presentations | Classes | 1.00 | auditorium | |||||
| 14 | From “Agents” to “Undesirable”: perspective for International Organisations Registered Outside of Russia. Literature discussion. Paper presentations | Classes | 1.00 | auditorium | |||||
| 15 | 6 Years: Russian Narrative in the United Nations General Assembly General Debate. Literature discussion. Paper presentations | Classes | 0.50 | auditorium | |||||
| 16 | Give and Take? Russia-EU Energy Cooperation. Literature discussion. Paper presentations | Classes | 0.50 | auditorium | |||||
| 17 | Future Enlargement Plans of NATO to Ukraine and Georgia: Four Perspectives. Literature discussion. Paper presentations | Classes | 0.50 | auditorium | |||||
| 18 | Russia’s Tools of Influence in Regional International Organisations. Literature discussion. Paper presentations | Classes | 0.50 | auditorium | |||||
| 19 | Frozen Dreams: Russia in the Arctic Council. Literature discussion. Paper presentations | Classes | 0.50 | auditorium | |||||
| 20 | Three Scenarios of Russia’s Role in Institutionalized Global Governance. Literature discussion. Paper presentations. Wrap-up | Classes | 0.50 | auditorium | |||||
| Assessment | |||||||||
| Unaided Work: | During the module students will prepare for the seminars, read literature, write final paper and prepare a presentation. The aim of a seminar is to develop students' ability to argue and present their opinion in a consistent and logical manner; to promote activity; to test students’ knowledge of the topic and materials in question. The aim of final paper is to develop the ability to identify the key issue of the topic; to identify and evaluate alternative arguments and views; to offer an opinion, explaining and arguing why this particular opinion is better than any other. The report should compare all possible alternatives, considering all their strengths and weaknesses. Another goal is to develop skills to independently study the situation and the problem, give it an assessment and be able to find solutions. | ||||||||
| Assessment Criteria: | Attendance – 10% Activity and preparedness during seminars – 30% Presentation and paper – 40% Final essay – 20% | ||||||||
| Final Examination (Full-Time): | Exam (Written) | ||||||||
| Final Examination (Part-Time): | Exam (Written) | ||||||||
| Learning Outcomes | |||||||||
| Knowledge: | Using in-depth knowledge gained in the study course about Russia's role and activities in the international organisations, students will compare and contra-distinguish Russian approaches in their own, centralized (CIS, CSTO, EEU) and wider regional and international organisations (UN, OSCE, EC). Based on the analysis of the literature on the experience of historical and current transition processes, students will explain Russia's approaches, challenges and opportunities within various international organisations. | ||||||||
| Skills: | Students will select and critically evaluate the relevant scientific literature on Russia's membership and role in international organisations and the factors that characterize it. Students will combine theoretical and empirical sources from Russia, as well as from international organisations and other countries, along with researchers’ analytical materials and the results of journalists works. Students will critically evaluate the ideas expressed in the scientific literature and discuss the interpretation of these ideas in their presentations to other colleagues. When developing research work, students will compare and contra-distinguish different Russian methods of operation in different international organisations. | ||||||||
| Competencies: | Analyzing Russia’s activities in various organisations, students will demonstrate in practice an understanding of Russia’s role, activities and future development scenarios within international organisations in the professional, academic and business environment. Analytical competencies will be developed by developing their conclusions on identified causal links. Using their competencies in various fields and knowledge on the factors influencing Russia’s activities, students will forecast Russia’s activities in various international formats, as well as develop the ability to generalize these skills and apply them to other countries as well as other issues, in national and international environment. | ||||||||
| Bibliography | |||||||||
| No. | Reference | ||||||||
| Required Reading | |||||||||
| 1 | Azerbaijan: Government Repression Tarnishes Chairmanship Council of Europe's Leadership Should Take Action. Human Rights Watch, 2014. Available from: https://www.hrw.org/news/2014/09/29/azerbaijan-government-r… | ||||||||
| 2 | Barnett M., Finnemore M. The Politics, Power, and Pathologies of International Organizations. International Organization 53(4), 1999. pp. 699-732. Available from: https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/… | ||||||||
| 3 | Ben-Ari, R. International Nongovernmental Organizations: “Global Conscience” or Powerful Political. Available from: http://jcpa.org/article/international-nongovernmental-organ… | ||||||||
| 4 | Casier, T. A Classic Dilemma: Russia's Threat to Withdraw from the Council of Europe. Heinrich Böll Stiftung European Union, 2018. Available from: https://eu.boell.org/en/2018/02/21/classic-dilemma-russias-… | ||||||||
| 5 | Charter of the United Nations. Available from: http://www.un.org/en/documents/charter/index.shtml | ||||||||
| 6 | Copelovitch M. Master or Servant? Common Agency and the Political Economy of IMF Lending. International Studies Quarterly 54(1), 2010, pp. 49-77. | ||||||||
| 7 | Donno D. Who is Punished? Regional Intergovernmental Organizations and the Enforcement of Democratic Norms. International Organization 64(4), 2010, pp. 593-625. | ||||||||
| 8 | Election Observation Handbook. OSCE/ODHIR, 2010. Available from: http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/70293?download=true | ||||||||
| 9 | Heiskanen V. The rationality of the use of force and the evolution of international organization. In: Coicaud J. M., Heiskanen V. (Eds.) The Legitimacy of International Organizations. The United Nations University Press, 2001, pp. 155-185. | ||||||||
| 10 | Hyde S. Catch Us if You Can: Election Monitoring and International Norm Diffusion. American Journal of Political Science 55(2), 2011, pp. 356-369. | ||||||||
| 11 | Kahn R., Tananbaum S. The IMF and the Next Global Crisis. Global Economics Monthly March 2016. | ||||||||
| 12 | Karns M., Mingst K., Stiles K. International Organizations: The Politics and Processes of Global Governance. Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2015, pp. 1-40. | ||||||||
| 13 | Kelley J. D-Minus Elections: The Politics and Norms of International Election Observation. International Organization 63(4), 2009, pp. 765-787. | ||||||||
| 14 | Komisar L. Interview with Joseph Stiglitz. 2011. Global Policy Forum. Available from: https://www.globalpolicy.org/social-and-economic-policy/the… | ||||||||
| 15 | Langhorne R. New Directions of Multilateral Diplomacy. The Changing Roles of State and Nonstate Actors in Diplomatic Practice. In: Muldoon Jr. J. P., Aviel J. P., Reitano R., Sullivan E. (Eds.) Multilateral Diplomacy and the United Nations Today. Westview Press, 2005, pp. 298-308. | ||||||||
| 16 | Martin, L., Simmons, B. Theories and Empirical Studies of International Institutions. International Organization 52(4), 1998, pp. 729-757. Available from: https://dash.harvard.edu/bitstream/handle/1/3382862/Theorie… | ||||||||
| 17 | NATO at 70 - The bedrock of European and transatlantic security. Speech by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the Körber Global Leaders Dialogue, Berlin, 2019. Available from: https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_170606.htm | ||||||||
| 18 | Pallas C. L., Urpelainen J. NGO monitoring and the legitimacy of international cooperation: A strategic analysis. Review of International Organizations 7(1), 2012, pp. 1âA¸S32. | ||||||||
| 19 | Pelc K. Seeking Escape: the Use of Escape Clauses in International Trade Agreements. International Studies Quarterly 53(2), 2009, pp. 349-368. | ||||||||
| 20 | Pevehouse J. Democracy from the Outside In? International Organizations and Democratization. International Organization 56(3), 2002, pp. 519-549. | ||||||||
| 21 | Rose A. Do We Really Know that the WTO Increases Trade? American Economic Review 94 (1), 2004, pp. 98-114. | ||||||||
| 22 | Schroeder W. NATO at seventy: Filling NATO’s critical defense-capability gaps. Atlantic Council, 2019. Available from: https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/in-depth-research-reports/r… | ||||||||
| 23 | Schwab S. C. After Doha. Foreign Affairs, May/June 2011. | ||||||||
| 24 | Sirkku K. H. Multilateralism and economic justice. In: Newman E., Thakur R., Tirman J. (Eds.) Multilateralism Under Challenge? Power, International Order and Structural Change. United Nations University Press, 2006, pp.422-440. | ||||||||
| 25 | Stone R. The Scope of IMF Conditionality. International Organization 62(4), 2008, pp. 489-620. | ||||||||
| 26 | Sullivan E. Multilateral Diplomacy in the Twenty-first Century. In: Muldoon Jr. J. P., Aviel J. P., Reitano R., Sullivan E. (Eds.) Multilateral Diplomacy and the United Nations Today. Westview Press, 2005, pp. 273-284. | ||||||||
| 27 | Thakur R. Pacific settlement, collective security and international peacekeeping. In: Thakur R. The United Nations, Peace and Security. Cambridge University Press, 2006, pp. 27-47. | ||||||||
| 28 | The European Convention on Human Rights. Available from: http://www.echr.coe.int/Documents/Convention_ENG.pdf | ||||||||
| 29 | The United Nations System – Organizational Chart. Available from: https://www.unsystem.org/content/unsystemchart-dpi | ||||||||
| 30 | Tomz M., Goldstein J. L., Rivers D. Do We Really Know That the WTO Increases Trade? Comment. American Economic Review 97(5), 2007, pp.2005-2018. | ||||||||
| 31 | TOP 100 NGOs. Available from: https://www.ngoadvisor.net/top100ngos/ | ||||||||
| 32 | Voeten E.The Political Origins of the UN Security Council’s Ability to Legitimize the Use of Force. International Organization 59(3), 2005, pp. 527-557. | ||||||||
| 33 | Wallander C. Institutional Assets and Adaptability: NATO after the Cold War. International Organization 54(4), 2000, pp. 705-735. | ||||||||
| 34 | Wallensteen P., Johansson P. Security Council Decisions in Perspective. In: Malone D. M. (Ed.) The UN Security Council. From the Cold War to the 21st Century. Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2004, pp. 17-33. | ||||||||
| 35 | Werker E., Ahmed F. What Do Non-Governmental Organizations Do? 2007. Available from: http://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Publication%20Files/08-041.pdf | ||||||||
