POLI 244 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Human Nature, American Exceptionalism, Research Question

• School: McGill University
• Department: Political Science
• Course: POLI 244
• Professor: Fernando Nunez- Mietz

Document Summary

In the past, states did not necessarily have borders or territorial frontiers. No authority exists above states, so each was seen as having an absolute right. In modernity however, outsiders sometimes get more of a say in ideas of human rights, etc. Ruler with some power and de facto control. Ruler needs to have some sort of legitimacy and social contract. Peer recognition must exist, and be seen as legitimate. If it"s convenient to others nobody gives a shit about south sudan but kosovo is a bit awkward and same with palestine. Principal unit of analysis state centric theory where the state"s actions, interests, and interactions are key. Simplifies models of reality by focusing on a main factor, instead of the many other actors. Clearly, world politics is more complex, but we need some way to analyze it conveniently. But trades off with explanatory power; parsimony explaining as much as possible using as little as possible.