1001GIR

Short Writing Assignment (20%)

Read the below excerpts from speeches delivered in the recent UN General Assembly. Analyse them by using liberal and realist theories. Which theory (if any) provide the most convincing explanation of the arguments made in the excerpts? Why? Why is the other theory less useful ‘lenses’ for interpreting foreign policy priorities implied in these excerpts?

Max word count: 700 words

Excerpt 1:

‘COVID-19 reminds us that we are living in an interconnected global village with a common stake. All countries are closely connected and we share a common future. No country can gain from others' difficulties or maintain stability by taking advantage of others' troubles. To pursue a beggar-thy-neighborpolicy or just watch from a safe distance when others are in danger will eventually land one in the same trouble faced by others. This is why we should embrace the vision of a community with a shared future in which everyone is bound together. We should reject attempts to build blocs to keep others out and oppose a zero-sum approach. We should see each other as members of the same big family, pursue win-win cooperation, and rise above ideological disputes and do not fall into the trap of "clash of civilizations".

Second, COVID-19 reminds us that economic globalization is an indisputable reality and a historical trend. Burying one's head in the sand like an ostrich in the face of economic globalization or trying to fight it with Don Quixote's lance goes against the trend of history. Let this be clear: The world will never return to isolation, and no one can sever the ties between countries. We should not dodge the challenges of economic globalization. Instead, we must face up to major issues such as the wealth gap and the development divide. We should strike a proper balance between the government and the market, fairness and efficiency, growth and income distribution, and technology and employment so as to ensure full and balanced development that delivers benefit to people from all countries, sectors and backgrounds in an equitable way. We should pursue open and inclusive development, remain committed to building an open world economy, and uphold the multilateral trading regime with the World Trade Organization as the cornerstone. We should say no to unilateralism and protectionism, and work to ensure the stable and smooth functioning of global industrial and supply chains.

COVID-19 reminds us that the global governance system calls for reform and improvement. COVID-19 is a major test of the governance capacity of countries; it is also a test of the global governance system. We should stay true to multilateralism and safeguard the international system with the UN at its core. Global governance should be

based on the principle of extensive consultation, joint cooperation and shared benefits so as to ensure that all countries enjoy equal rights and opportunities and follow the same rules. The global governance system should adapt itself to evolving global political and economic dynamics, meet global challenges and embrace the underlying trend of peace, development and win-win cooperation. It is natural for countries to have differences. What's important is to address them through dialogue and consultation. Countries may engage in competition, but such competition should be positive and healthy in nature. When in competition, countries should not breach the moral standard and should comply with international norms. In particular, major countries should act like major countries. They should provide more global public goods, take up their due responsibilities and live up to people's expectations.’

Excerpt 2:

‘Every year, China dumps millions and millions of tons of plastic and trash into the oceans,overfishes other countries’ waters, destroys vast swaths of coral reef, and emits moretoxic mercury into the atmosphere than any country anywhere in the world. China’scarbon emissions are nearly twice what the U.S. has, and it’s rising fast. By contrast, after I withdrew from the one-sided Paris Climate Accord, last year America reduced its carbon emissions by more than any country in the agreement.

We also know that American prosperity is the bedrock of freedom and security all over the world. In three short years, we built the greatest economy in history, and we are quickly doing it again. Our military has increased substantially in size. We spent $2.5trillion over the last four years on our military. We have the most powerful militaryanywhere in the world, and it’s not even close.

We stood up to decades of China’s trade abuses. We revitalized the NATO Alliance, whereother countries are now paying a much more fair share. We forged historic partnerships with Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador to stop human smuggling. We are standing with the people of Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela in their righteous struggle for freedom.

We withdrew from the terrible Iran Nuclear Deal and imposed crippling sanctions on theworld’s leading state sponsor of terror. We obliterated the ISIS caliphate 100 percent;killed its founder and leader, al-Baghdadi; and eliminated the world’s top terrorist, Qasem Soleimani.

For decades, the same tired voices proposed the same failed solutions, pursuing global ambitions at the expense of their own people. But only when you take care of your owncitizens will you find a true basis for cooperation’

Guidance:

• Papers should include the student's name, student number and e-mail at the top, or on a title page.

• Papers should be double-spaced in 12-point font, with standard edge margins, using a standard font; e.g., Times New Roman, Calibri, Arial, Cambria.

• The Research Paper should be at minimum 500 and maximum 700 words

• Please note: there will be no +/– 10 percent on the word count, since there is

  already a range of 200 words between the minimum and maximum lengths. No

  abstract is necessary.

• Please ensure that you save and upload your paper in Microsoft Word format (not

  PDF) to the submission point at the class Learning @ Griffith site before the deadline. You are encouraged to upload several hours before the deadline, as the system may be slow if large numbers of uploads come in at once. Papers are automatically counted late in the system if they come in at mid-night (00:00) or later.

• The main source for this assessment is chapter 3 in the course textbook (Grieco et al Introduction to International Relations). Although you may want to consult other works to get a better idea of realist and liberal IR theories, a careful read of chapter 3 is sufficient for successfully completing this task. If you have any questions or clarifications, please raise them during the office hours or in tutorials. You do not have to produce a list of sources/works cited.

  Criteria & Marking
  The marking criteria is as follows

  • Demonstration of understanding liberal and realist IR theories

  • Demonstration of ability to apply liberal and realist IR theories

  • Clarity of argument and exposition

  • Quality of written communication: spelling, punctuation, grammar, formatting,

    referencing; following instructions.

    Late Papers

    From the Course Profile: standard Griffith University policy:
    An assessment item submitted after the due date, without an approved extension, will be penalised. A reduction of 5 percent of the total mark will be applied for the assessment item for each working day it is late. Working days are Monday to Friday. An item turned in after 23:59 on the due date will be counted as one day late, the following day as two days late, and so on. Assessment items submitted more than five working days after the due date will be awarded zero marks.

    Extensions

    Extensions may be granted, but only with a note signed by a physician or counsellor, or with other documentation for circumstances such as a death in the family. Please note that extension requests must be submitted prior to the submission date through the

university online system. Please refer to the following website for specific guidelines and instructions at this page:https://www.griffith.edu.au/students/assessment-exams-grades/submitting- assignments/assignment-extension

The full university policy on extensions is here:

https://policies.griffith.edu.au/pdf/Assessment%20Submission%20and%20Return%2 0Procedures.pdf