INST 201: Expansion of International Society

Professor Klesner

This course will explore the development of the modern international society of nation-states, from its beginnings in Western Europe in the sixteenth century, through the two major waves of European colonization of other areas of the world, to the decolonization following the Second World War. The roles of economic change, the spread of individualist ideas and attitudes, and power politics in promoting the expansion of the state system, capitalism, and aspects of Western culture from Europe to the rest of the world will be explored. The political and cultural resistance of colonized peoples to European expansion and the incorporation of colonial economies into the world economy will be examined. Chronologically, topics to be considered include the rivalry between emerging European empires at the beginning of Western expansion; the conquest of the New World; nineteenth-century imperialism--explanations for the new wave of imperialism and consequences of it; and the rapid growth of independent states due to decolonization in the postwar period. In addition, the political, economic, and cultural/religious consequences of imperialism and decolonization will be explored. Finally, we will examine current world conflicts.