Alternative Worlds and the Future of International Relations

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Throughout the course, we have considered three key international interests:

  • Security: Involves the use of political, social/cultural, geographic/economic, and military elements of power to protect state and individual interests at home and abroad.
  • Identity: Comprised of four components: the differences between and among state values/goals, religions, ethnic groups, and governmental/non-governmental organizations.
  • Economy: Focused on how, when, where, and why money is appropriated and spent and these priorities almost always related to the most important interests of states.

Ultimately, each state in the international system will establish goals and objectives concerning their current and future national interests. Each state will also apply appropriate international relations theories to accomplish impending security, identity, and economic interests. State leaders will routinely utilize different schools of thought concerning international relations to meet upcoming threats and opportunities. For example, along with “What should be done?” leaders must identify “who” will do it (i.e., the State, individuals, ethnic, nationalist, or religious groups, Inter-governmental organizations (IGOs), Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs)).

This paper is designed for you to use your critical thinking skills to evaluate potential international relations challenges, apply core international relations theories, and understand how foreign policy is formed and implemented. You will also assess the efficacy of national instruments of power along with the utility of other governmental/non-governmental organizations and international law during the examination of selected future economic, political, military, cultural, and informational trends. Finally, you will develop a recommended solution to plausible international dilemmas.

Throughout this course, we have been discussing the four “alternative worlds” found in the 2012 National Intelligence Council Report, 
Global Trends 2030: Alternative Worlds. For this paper, you will choose one of these “worlds,” that you 
did not discuss in your Week Two Assignment, and analyze this new scenario in your Final Paper. Choose from the following:

  1. Stalled Engines: A scenario in which the U.S. and Europe turn inward and globalization stalls.
  2. Fusion: A world in which the U.S. and China cooperate, leading to worldwide cooperation on global challenges.
  3. Gini-Out-of-the-Bottle: A world in which economic inequalities dominate.
  4. Nonstate World: A scenario in which nonstate actors take the lead in solving global challenges.

Assume you are a special representative to the president of the United States assigned with the task of analyzing alternative future scenarios for the White House. Create a report to the president that explains the future scenario and its potential implications to the United States. Your paper should be organized into six sections:

  1. Introduce the future scenario you will be describing and provide a brief overview of the main points of the rest of your paper.
  2. Explain which international relations theory (or theories) you believe best describes, explains, and predicts the future scenario you choose.
  3. Examine a few key security, identity, and economic issues illustrated in this alternative world that could pose as threats to and/or as opportunities for United States’ interests.
  4. Provide recommendations on how the United States should prepare for these critical challenges to US national security, identity, and economic interests. Explain what tools (i.e., political, social/cultural, geographic/economic, military elements of power, international organizations, NGO’s) the United States should use to tackle these potential challenges to its goals/objectives.
  5. Explain what school of thought (or combinations of schools) would best support the decisions you have made.
  6. Conclude your paper with a brief review of your main points and overall argument/thesis.

The paper must be ten to twelve pages in length (excluding title and reference pages) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. You must use at least six scholarly resources, including the text and the National Intelligence Council Report, 
Global Trends 2030: Alternative Worlds. Cite your sources within the text of your paper and on the reference page. For information regarding APA, including samples and tutorials, visit the Ashford Writing Center, located within the Learning Resources tab on the left navigation toolbar.

Writing the Final Paper

The Final Paper:

  1. Must be ten to twelve double-spaced pages in length (excluding title and reference pages), and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
  2. Must include a title page with the following:
    1. Title of paper
    2. Student’s name
    3. Course name and number
    4. Instructor’s name
    5. Date submitted
  3. Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.
  4. Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
  5. Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.
  6. Must use at least six scholarly resources, including the text and the National Intelligence Council Report, Global Trends 2030: Alternative Worlds.
  7. Must document all sources in APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
  8. Must include a separate reference page, formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.