International Political Relations [POL-IRA-LS-PR] Semestr zimowy 2024/2025
Konwersatorium, grupa nr 1

Containment Beyond the Cold War How Washington Lost the Post-Soviet Peace

By M. E. Sarotte

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/system/files/pdf/2021/100602.pdf

The Cold War and Its Aftermath, By Zbigniew Brzezinski

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/system/files/pdf/articles/1992/71403.pdf

Postimperial Empire, How the War in Ukraine Is Transforming Europe

By Timothy Garton Ash

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/system/files/pdf/2023/102307.pdf

Time for NATO to Close Its Door, The Alliance Is Too Big—and Too Provocative—for Its Own Good, By Michael Kimmage, January 17, 2022

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/system/files/pdf/2023/time-for-nato-to-close-its-door-2023-05-25-15-36.pdf

NATO’s Missing Pillar The Alliance Needs a More Powerful Europe

By Mathieu Droin, Sean Monaghan, and Jim Townsend, June 14, 2024

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/system/files/pdf/2024/nato’s-missing-pillar-2024-06-14-09-57.pdf

America’s New Twilight Struggle With Russia, To Prevail, Washington Must Revive Containment, By Max Bergmann, Michael Kimmage, Jeffrey Mankoff, and Maria Snegovaya, March 6, 2024

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/system/files/pdf/2024/america’s-new-twilight-struggle-with-russia-2024-03-06-09-16.pdf

Poland’s Post-Populist Rehab, How to Unwind an Illiberal Democracy

By Jaroslaw Kuisz and Karolina Wigura, March 12, 2024

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/system/files/pdf/2024/poland’s-post-populist-rehab-2024-03-12-09-03.pdf

The War Over Ukrainian Identity, Nationalism, Russian Imperialism, and the Quest to Define Ukraine’s History By Georgiy Kasianov, May 4, 2022

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/system/files/pdf/2023/the-war-over-ukrainian-identity--2023-05-26-14-45.pdf

The Visegrad Group Countries Towards the War in Ukraine in 2022

• Anna Czyż, Studia Politologiczne 2024;73

http://www.studiapolitologiczne.pl/pdf-193542-114417?filename=The%20Visegrad%20Group.pdf

The Age of Energy Insecurity, How the Fight for Resources Is Upending Geopolitics

By Jason Bordoff and Meghan L. O’Sullivan May 2023

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/system/files/pdf/2023/102310.pdf

How to Fix the Western Balkans, European Integration Is Still the Best Path Toward Reform, By Jeffrey Mankoff, July 7, 2017

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/southeastern-europe/2017-07-07/how-fix-western-balkans

Week 1: Introduction to Central-East Europe and Its Geopolitical Importance

• Topics:

Defining Central-Eastern Europe: Geography, History, and Identity

• Readings:

Containment Beyond the Cold War How Washington Lost the Post-Soviet Peace

By M. E. Sarotte

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/system/files/pdf/2021/100602.pdf

• Discussion:

How does history influence the region’s international relations today?

Week 2: The Legacy of the Cold War and Post-Communist Transition

• Topics:

The impact of the Cold War on CEE

Transition from communism to democracy and market economy

• Readings:

• The Cold War and Its Aftermath, By Zbigniew Brzezinski

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/system/files/pdf/articles/1992/71403.pdf

• Discussion:

What challenges did post-communist countries face during their transition?

Week 3: EU Enlargement and Integration in CEE

• Topics:

The EU’s role in shaping the political and economic landscape of CEE

The process and impact of EU enlargement on CEE countries

• Readings:

Postimperial Empire, How the War in Ukraine Is Transforming Europe

By Timothy Garton Ash

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/system/files/pdf/2023/102307.pdf

• Discussion:

How has EU integration influenced CEE political stability and development?

Week 4: NATO and Security Dynamics in CEE

• Topics:

The role of NATO in the security architecture of CEE

The 2004 NATO enlargement and its implications for regional security

• Readings:

Time for NATO to Close Its Door, The Alliance Is Too Big—and Too Provocative—for Its Own Good, By Michael Kimmage, January 17, 2022

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/system/files/pdf/2023/time-for-nato-to-close-its-door-2023-05-25-15-36.pdf

NATO’s Missing Pillar The Alliance Needs a More Powerful Europe

By Mathieu Droin, Sean Monaghan, and Jim Townsend, June 14, 2024

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/system/files/pdf/2024/nato’s-missing-pillar-2024-06-14-09-57.pdf

• Discussion:

How does NATO’s presence shape the region’s security, particularly in relation to Russia?

Week 5: Russia’s Geopolitical Influence in CEE

• Topics:

Russia’s historical and current influence in CEE

The Russian invasion of Ukraine and its impact on CEE security

Readings:

• America’s New Twilight Struggle With Russia, To Prevail, Washington Must Revive Containment, By Max Bergmann, Michael Kimmage, Jeffrey Mankoff, and Maria Snegovaya, March 6, 2024

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/system/files/pdf/2024/america’s-new-twilight-struggle-with-russia-2024-03-06-09-16.pdf

• Discussion:

What are Russia’s geopolitical strategies in CEE?

Week 6: Democratic Backsliding and Populism in CEE

• Topics:

The rise of populism and nationalism in CEE

Democratic backsliding in Hungary and Poland

• Readings:

• Poland’s Post-Populist Rehab, How to Unwind an Illiberal Democracy

By Jaroslaw Kuisz and Karolina Wigura, March 12, 2024

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/system/files/pdf/2024/poland’s-post-populist-rehab-2024-03-12-09-03.pdf

The War Over Ukrainian Identity, Nationalism, Russian Imperialism, and the Quest to Define Ukraine’s History By Georgiy Kasianov, May 4, 2022

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/system/files/pdf/2023/the-war-over-ukrainian-identity--2023-05-26-14-45.pdf

• Discussion:

What factors have contributed to the democratic backsliding in CEE?

Week 7: The Visegrád Group and Regional Cooperation

• Topics:

The role of the Visegrád Group in CEE and its influence within the EU

Cooperation and divergence among V4 countries

• Readings:

• The Visegrad Group Countries Towards the War in Ukraine in 2022

• Anna Czyż, Studia Politologiczne 2024;73

http://www.studiapolitologiczne.pl/pdf-193542-114417?filename=The%20Visegrad%20Group.pdf

• Discussion:

How does the Visegrád Group navigate its position within the EU?

Week 8: Energy Security in CEE

• Topics:

The geopolitics of energy in CEE

Russia’s role as a key energy supplier and CEE’s energy diversification strategies

• Readings:

The Age of Energy Insecurity, How the Fight for Resources Is Upending Geopolitics

By Jason Bordoff and Meghan L. O’Sullivan May 2023

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/system/files/pdf/2023/102310.pdf

• Discussion:

How does energy dependency influence CEE’s political and economic policies?

Week 9: The U.S.-CEE Relationship: Transatlantic Relations

• Topics:

U.S. foreign policy towards CEE from the Cold War to today

CEE as a key partner for U.S. in European and global security

• Readings:

Brzezinski, Zbigniew. The Grand Chessboard: American Primacy and Its Geostrategic Imperatives.

• Discussion:

What role does CEE play in U.S. global strategy?

Week 10: The Rise of China in CEE: Economic and Strategic Engagement

• Topics:

China’s Belt and Road Initiative in CEE

The growing influence of Chinese investments and diplomacy in the region

• Readings:

• Why China Is Sabotaging Ukraine, Beijing Has No Interest in a Peace Agreement It Can’t Help Broker, By Alexander Gabuev June 14, 2024

• Discussion:

How is China’s engagement in CEE affecting its relationship with the EU and U.S.?

Week 11: The Western Balkans and EU Enlargement Prospects

• Topics:

EU enlargement in the Western Balkans

• Readings:

How to Fix the Western Balkans, European Integration Is Still the Best Path Toward Reform, By Jeffrey Mankoff, July 7, 2017

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/southeastern-europe/2017-07-07/how-fix-western-balkans

• Discussion:

What are the key challenges facing the Western Balkans on the path to EU membership?

Week 12: Minority Rights and Ethnic Conflicts in CEE

• Topics:

Ethnic minorities and their influence on domestic and international politics in CEE Case studies: Hungary, Slovakia, and Romania

• Readings:

Wolff, Stefan. Ethnic Conflict: A Global Perspective.

• Discussion:

How do ethnic tensions impact regional stability?

Week 13: Current Conflicts in CEE: The Russia-Ukraine War and Its Consequences

• Topics:

The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and its impact on international relations

The future of regional security in CEE

• Readings:

Wilson, Andrew. Ukraine Crisis: What It Means for the West.

• Discussion:

What are the long-term implications of the war for the CEE region?

Week 14: The Future of Central-Eastern Europe in Global Politics

• Topics:

The future role of CEE in international relations

Scenarios for regional integration and global positioning

Discussion:

What does the future hold for CEE in global geopolitics?

Presentations – students prepare and deliver short presentations on assigned topics

Debates – structured debates on current international issues to enhance analytical, argumentative, and critical thinking skills.

Group Discussions – collaborative analysis of case studies, encouraging peer learning, problem-solving, and teamwork.

Activity in Class – Evaluates engagement, contributions to discussions, preparedness, and active participation in exercises and debates.

Participation and Attendance – Assesses consistent attendance and involvement in class discussions and group activities.

Presentations - quality of assigned group presentations

This course provides an in-depth analysis of international political relations in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Students will examine political developments, and contemporary challenges shaping the region's role in global politics. The course will focus on the region's relationships with major powers (e.g., the U.S., Russia, the EU, and China) and its internal dynamics, including democratic backsliding, populism, and security concerns. Students will develop a strong understanding of the region's geopolitical importance and will be able to critically analyze current events.