International Relations and Political Philosophy
(Undergraduate Class)
Dr. David Lorenzo
Office: 271305
lorenzo@nccu.edu.tw
2939-3091 x51305
OVERVIEW
This class examines discussions of international relations from a selection of works in
political philosophy drawn mainly (though not exclusively) from the Western tradition. It
focuses on understandings of human nature, the character of the state, understandings of
power relations, the nature of war, descriptions of international political economy and
considerations of the role of ethics and morality in the conduct of international diplomacy
and decisions regarding war. It also explores the philosophical origins of liberal, Marxist
and realist theories.
OBJECTIVES
1. To grasp the various ways in which international relations, including such topics
as war, balance of power, the nature of international hierarchy and the state, have
been understood in the larger political science literature.
2. To understand how various ways of thinking about international relations have
their roots in philosophical understandings of human nature, the state and
economics.
3. To understand the similarities and differences among various philosophical
treatments of international relations.
4. To explore more deeply various ways of thinking about the state and
conceptualizing its place in international relations.
CLASS FORMAT:
I will lecture on the ideas of particular philosophers and provide power-points of the
lectures through email. We will also discuss ideas and concepts in class and undertake
small writing exercises in which students will respond to particular questions. Students
are encouraged to explore the texts identified in this syllabus in either English or their
native language.
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GRADING
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A midterm test, worth 35% of the final grad
A final test, worth 40% of the final grade
In-class discussion and work, worth 10% of total grade.
A 4 page discussion paper, due any time before the end of the term, which
discusses the ideas of a particular philosopher in the context of some
contemporary event or situation. Worth 15% of the final grad. This is to be
submitted electronically to me to my email address.
CLASS SCHEDULE:
Week of February 24: Introduction
Week of March 2: Sun-tze and Lord Shang
The Art of War and The Book of Lord Shang
Week of March 9: Thucydides,
The Peloponnesian War (1.21-3, 2.34-46 (Funeral Oration), 2.50-54 (The Plague), 3.3649 (The Mytilenian Debate), 5.84-116 (The Melian Dialogue).
Week of March 16: Plato
The Republic (Books II-IV), The Laws (Book 1) and
Week of March 23: Aristotle
The Politics (Books 1, 3 and 7)
Week of March 30: Augustine and Aquinas
The City of God (Bks I, IV, VI [sections 17-24], XIX [sections 11-17]), Summa
Theologica (II-II, Q 40; II-II, Q 64, articles 6-8)
Week of April 6: Machiavelli
The Prince (chapters 1-3, 5-6, 8-9, 15-19, 21, 24-26), The Discourses (I.2-14)
Weeks of April 13 and 27: Vitoria and Erasmus
De Indis, De Jure Belli, Dulce Bellum Inexpertis
Week of April 20: Midterm exam
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Weeks of May 4 and 11: Hugo Grotius and Samuel Pufendorf
The Law of War and Peace, On the Duties of Man and Citizen
Week of May 18: Thomas Hobbes
Leviathan (chaps 13-14, 17-18, 21)
Week of May 25: John Locke
Second Treatise (chaps. 1-3, 7-9, 16)
Week of June 1 J.J. Rousseau
The State of War, Second Discourse on the Origins of Inequality
Week of June 8: Immanuel Kant
Perpetual Peace, Essay on Theory and Practice
Week of June 15: V.I. Lenin
Imperialism, The Highest Stage of Capitalism
Week of June 22: Final exam
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