Histories of Internationalism and International Organisations
Overview
- Credit value: 30 credits at Level 7
- Convenor: Prof Jessica Reinisch
- Assessment: coursework of 1000 words (20%) and a 4000-word essay (80%)
Module description
In this module we explore ideas and forms of 'internationalism', international order and supra-national government, in the broader context of war, revolution, nationalism, imperialism and ethnic conflict in twentieth-century history.
The interwar and post-war decades saw a series of challenges to not just empire and colonialism but also state sovereignty, and the inauguration of a number of international and non-governmental organisations. But how novel and how important were they really? Drawing upon a range of primary and secondary texts we will examine some of the international organisations that emerged in the aftermath of the First World War and evaluate their successes, limitations and struggles.
In the second half of the module we will reflect upon the consequences of new waves of ethnic and genocidal conflict and war, anti-colonial protests, nationalism and the eventual collapse of the interwar international order, and dissect the proposed solutions for international peace and stability contained in the new post-war settlement of the 1940s.
Finally, we will analyse the extent to which earlier precedents shaped the post-1945 history of international organisations and internationalism. Throughout the module we will debate the role and relevance of 'internationalism' in modern history and the benefits and drawbacks of writing international, global or transnational, rather than national, history.
Indicative syllabus
- What is internationalism?
- Pre-1914
- Versailles
- Philanthropy
- Fascism
- Communism
- Post-war settlement
- Cold War
- Health
- Outlook, conclusions