International relations

Get a first look at the US-China rivalry, initially through American eyes. Learn from a description of American influence at its zenith, understand how it dwindled and consider the global cost of that decline. You will analyse American policy towards Russia and discover whether the US can regain its swagger.

This module looks at the world, and especially the US, from China’s perspective. Explore why Chinese leaders came to think the time was ripe to challenge American pre-eminence. After assessing the underlying sources of Chinese strength—military, commercial and technological—you will understand whether China really can supplant the US as the world’s hegemonic power.

How much the US-China rivalry is also a competition for technological dominance is assessed in this module. After examining how pervasive technology is, both in economic and defence matters, you will compare and contrast American and Chinese approaches to innovation. Finally, assess the possible consequences of two “techno-spheres” emerging, one American and one Chinese.

The US-China rivalry constrains the options of geopolitical actors that have resisted choosing sides, such as the European Union, as well as countries that have picked a side, including Japan and Russia. This module also explores how Russia’s aggression is creating foreign-policy dilemmas for both the US and China, and concludes by describing challenges that affect all countries: climate change, demography and pandemics.

Globalisation is the force that pulls people together—and sometimes drives them apart. In this final module, explore the recent history of globalisation, from its golden age in the 1990s, through “slowbalisation” in more recent years and on into the age of covid-19 and Western sanctions on Russia. We end by examining whether globalisation is in retreat, leaving great powers freer to carve up the world to their advantage.