Russia and International Organisations

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved

Course Description Version:1.00

Study Course Accepted:14.03.2024 10:13:25

Study Course Information
Course Code:		SZF_064		LQF level:		Level 7
Credit Points:		4.00		ECTS:		6.00
Branch of Science:		Politics		Target Audience:		Political Science
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:		Gunda Reire
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:		Faculty of Social Sciences
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:		Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szfrsu[pnkts]lv
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)		10	Lecture Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		20
Classes (count)		13	Class Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		26
Total Contact Hours								46
Part-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)		7	Lecture Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		14
Classes (count)		7	Class Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		14
Total Contact Hours								28
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
General knowledge of the theories and methods of international relations and basic historical knowledge of the period after World War II.
Objective:
The aim of the course is to synthesise Russian domestic and foreign policy trends and search for internal and external identity and challenges therein to gain an accurate and in-depth understanding of contemporary Russian policy and activities in international organisations; its objectives, challenges and working methods. We will focus on three variables. First, Russia’s internal resources and capabilities. Second, the environment – regional and global. Third, leadership ambitions. The course will examine Russia’s policy towards the US, Europe, China and the so-called post-Soviet space in the context of international organisations. This study course offers a contextually rich and historically informed understanding of the key concepts that continue to shape Russian foreign policy. Rather than being structured chronologically, the course is divided into conceptual clusters that address the most enduring, contentious and ambiguous aspects that together form the core of Russian foreign policy discourse and are reflected in Russia’s policies and activities in various international organisations. Russia’s role in and relations with the UN, NATO, the EU, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the Arctic Council, the Eurasian Economic Union, the CIS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the Collective Security Treaty Organisation will be examined, covering a wide range of areas. The course will be permeated with an assessment of the political, economic and security interests that shape Russia’s foreign policy, Russia’s approach to multilateralism and its activities within multilateral institutions.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.	Topic			Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	Introduction. Russia’s Foreign Policy as a Continuation of Domestic Policy by Other Means			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
2	Russia’s Foreign and Security Policy Doctrine			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
3	Instrumentalisation of International Organisations: The Role of Multilateralism in			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
4	The Central Role of the United Nations in Russia’s Foreign Policy			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
5	Neither Enemies nor Friends? Workable Relations With Europe			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
6	Unequal Relations. Russia, USA and NATO			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
7	Russia as a Co-Manager in International Institutions? Russia-China Cooperation			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
8	Russia as an Active Architect. Regional Organisations in the Post-Soviet Space			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
9	The Human Rights Card. Russia at the UN, the Council of Europe and the OSCE			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
10	Russia’s Craving for Expansion and Buffer Zones on the Agenda of International Organisations			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
11	The Russian Perspective on the Concept of Multilateralism. Literature Discussion. Presentations of Reports			Classes		2.00	auditorium
12	External Threats in Russian National Security and Defence Documents. Literature Discussion. Presentations of Reports			Classes		1.00	auditorium
13	Russia’s Involvement in the Syrian Civil War: The Example of the UN Security Council. Literature Discussion. Presentations of Reports			Classes		2.00	auditorium
14	From ‘Agents’ to ‘Undesirables’: Perspectives for International Organisations Registered Outside Russia. Literature Discussion. Presentations of Reports			Classes		1.00	auditorium
15	6 Years: Russia’s Narrative in the General Debate of the UN General Assembly. Literature Discussion. Presentations of Reports			Classes		1.00	auditorium
16	Give and Take? Russia-EU Cooperation in the Field of Energy. Literature Discussion. Presentations of Reports			Classes		1.00	auditorium
17	NATO’s Future Enlargement Plans for Ukraine and Georgia: Four Perspectives. Literature Discussion. Presentations of Reports			Classes		2.00	auditorium
18	Instruments of Russian Influence in Regional International Organisations. Literature Discussion. Presentations of Reports			Classes		1.00	auditorium
19	Frozen Dreams: Russia in the Arctic Council. Literature Discussion. Presentations of Reports			Classes		1.00	auditorium
20	Three Scenarios for Russia’s Role in Institutionalised Global Governance. Literature Discussion. Presentations of Reports. Conclusion of the Course			Classes		1.00	auditorium
Topic Layout (Part-Time)
No.	Topic			Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	Introduction. Russia’s Foreign Policy as a Continuation of Domestic Policy by Other Means			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
2	Russia’s Foreign and Security Policy Doctrine			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
3	Instrumentalisation of International Organisations: The Role of Multilateralism in			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
4	The Central Role of the United Nations in Russia’s Foreign Policy			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
5	Neither Enemies nor Friends? Workable Relations With Europe			Lectures		0.50	auditorium
6	Unequal Relations. Russia, USA and NATO			Lectures		0.50	auditorium
7	Russia as a Co-Manager in International Institutions? Russia-China Cooperation			Lectures		0.50	auditorium
8	Russia as an Active Architect. Regional Organisations in the Post-Soviet Space			Lectures		0.50	auditorium
9	The Human Rights Card. Russia at the UN, the Council of Europe and the OSCE			Lectures		0.50	auditorium
10	Russia’s Craving for Expansion and Buffer Zones on the Agenda of International Organisations			Lectures		0.50	auditorium
11	The Russian Perspective on the Concept of Multilateralism. Literature Discussion. Presentations of Reports			Classes		1.00	auditorium
12	External Threats in Russian National Security and Defence Documents. Literature Discussion. Presentations of Reports			Classes		1.00	auditorium
13	Russia’s Involvement in the Syrian Civil War: The Example of the UN Security Council. Literature Discussion. Presentations of Reports			Classes		1.00	auditorium
14	From ‘Agents’ to ‘Undesirables’: Perspectives for International Organisations Registered Outside Russia. Literature Discussion. Presentations of Reports			Classes		1.00	auditorium
15	6 Years: Russia’s Narrative in the General Debate of the UN General Assembly. Literature Discussion. Presentations of Reports			Classes		0.50	auditorium
16	Give and Take? Russia-EU Cooperation in the Field of Energy. Literature Discussion. Presentations of Reports			Classes		0.50	auditorium
17	NATO’s Future Enlargement Plans for Ukraine and Georgia: Four Perspectives. Literature Discussion. Presentations of Reports			Classes		0.50	auditorium
18	Instruments of Russian Influence in Regional International Organisations. Literature Discussion. Presentations of Reports			Classes		0.50	auditorium
19	Frozen Dreams: Russia in the Arctic Council. Literature Discussion. Presentations of Reports			Classes		0.50	auditorium
20	Three Scenarios for Russia’s Role in Institutionalised Global Governance. Literature Discussion. Presentations of Reports. Conclusion of the Course			Classes		0.50	auditorium
Assessment
Unaided Work:
Within the module, students will prepare for seminars, read recommended readings, prepare a report and presentation. The objective of the seminars is to develop students’ ability to justify their point of view; to stimulate activity; to test their knowledge of the topic and the material. The objective of the report is to develop the ability to identify the main problem of the topic; to identify and evaluate alternative arguments and points of view; to present one’s own point of view, explaining and arguing why this point of view is more acceptable and superior to any other. The report must compare all possible alternatives, considering all their weaknesses and strengths. Another objective is to develop the skills to independently research situations and problems, evaluate them and develop solutions.
Assessment Criteria:
Attendance – 10% Activity and preparedness during classes – 30% Presentation and report – 40% Final examination (essay) – 20%
Final Examination (Full-Time):		Exam (Written)
Final Examination (Part-Time):		Exam (Written)
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:		Using the in-depth knowledge of Russia’s role and activities in international organisations acquired in the study course, students will compare and contrast Russia’s approaches both within the organisations it has established and Russia-centred organisations (e.g. CIS, CSCE, EEU) and in wider regional and international organisations (e.g. UN, OSCE, EP). Based on a literature analysis of historical and current experiences of transitional processes, students will explain Russia’s approaches, challenges and opportunities within different international organisations.
Skills:		Students will select and critically evaluate the scientific literature relevant to the topic of the independent work on Russia’s participation and role in international organisations and the factors characterising it, combining theoretical and empirical sources, as well as sources from Russia itself, international organisations and other countries, along with analytical materials from researchers and the results of journalists’ work. Students will critically evaluate ideas expressed in the scientific literature and discuss the interpretation of these ideas in peer presentations. When preparing their independent work, students will compare and contrast different methods of Russia’s operation in different international organisations.
Competencies:		By contrasting Russia’s activities in different organisations, students will demonstrate in practice their understanding of Russia’s role, activities and future development scenarios within the framework of international organisations in professional, academic and business environments. Analytical competences will be developed as students base their conclusions on the identification, correlation and interrelation of causal links. Using their competences in different fields and their knowledge of the factors influencing Russia’s actions, students will forecast Russia’s actions in different international formats and develop the ability to generalise and apply these skills to other countries in these and other international organisations, as well as to other issues where the national and international environment closely interact.
Bibliography
No.	Reference
Required Reading
1	Visa literatūra ir angļu valodā un piemērota gan latviešu, gan angļu plūsmas studentiem
2	Azerbaijan: Government Repression Tarnishes Chairmanship Council of Europe's Leadership Should Take Action. Human Rights Watch, 2014.
3	Ben-Ari, R. International Nongovernmental Organizations: “Global Conscience” or Powerful Political.
4	Casier, T. A Classic Dilemma: Russia's Threat to Withdraw from the Council of Europe. Heinrich Böll Stiftung European Union, 2018.
5	Copelovitch M. Master or Servant? Common Agency and the Political Economy of IMF Lending. International Studies Quarterly 54(1), 2010, pp. 49-77.
6	Donno D. Who is Punished? Regional Intergovernmental Organizations and the Enforcement of Democratic Norms. International Organization 64(4), 2010, pp. 593-625.
7	Hyde S. Catch Us if You Can: Election Monitoring and International Norm Diffusion. American Journal of Political Science 55(2), 2011, pp. 356-369.
8	Kahn R., Tananbaum S. The IMF and the Next Global Crisis. Global Economics Monthly March 2016.
9	Karns M., Mingst K., Stiles K. International Organizations: The Politics and Processes of Global Governance. Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2015, pp. 1-40.
10	Komisar L. Interview with Joseph Stiglitz. 2011. Global Policy Forum.
11	Langhorne R. New Directions of Multilateral Diplomacy. The Changing Roles of State and Nonstate Actors in Diplomatic Practice. In: Muldoon Jr. J. P., Aviel J. P., Reitano R., Sullivan E. (Eds.) Multilateral Diplomacy and the United Nations Today. Westview Press, 2018, pp. 298-308.
12	NATO at 70 - The bedrock of European and transatlantic security. Speech by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the Körber Global Leaders Dialogue, Berlin, 2019.
13	Pallas C. L., Urpelainen J. NGO monitoring and the legitimacy of international cooperation: A strategic analysis. Review of International Organizations 7(1), 2012, pp. 1âA¸S32.
14	Pelc K. Seeking Escape: the Use of Escape Clauses in International Trade Agreements. International Studies Quarterly 53(2), 2009, pp. 349-368.
15	Rose A. Do We Really Know that the WTO Increases Trade? American Economic Review 94 (1), 2004, pp. 98-114.
16	Schroeder W. NATO at seventy: Filling NATO’s critical defense-capability gaps. Atlantic Council, 2019.
17	Schwab S. C. After Doha. Foreign Affairs, May/June 2011.
18	Sirkku K. H. Multilateralism and economic justice. In: Newman E., Thakur R., Tirman J. (Eds.) Multilateralism Under Challenge? Power, International Order and Structural Change. United Nations University Press, 2006, pp.422-440.
19	Stone R. The Scope of IMF Conditionality. International Organization 62(4), 2008, pp. 489-620.
20	Sullivan E. Multilateral Diplomacy in the Twenty-first Century. In: Muldoon Jr. J. P., Aviel J. P., Reitano R., Sullivan E. (Eds.) Multilateral Diplomacy and the United Nations Today. Westview Press, 2018, pp. 273-284.
21	Thakur R. Pacific settlement, collective security and international peacekeeping. In: Thakur R. The United Nations, Peace and Security. Cambridge University Press, 2006, pp. 27-47.
22	Tomz M., Goldstein J. L., Rivers D. Do We Really Know That the WTO Increases Trade? Comment. American Economic Review 97(5), 2007, pp.2005-2018.
Additional Reading
1	Werker E., Ahmed F. What Do Non-Governmental Organizations Do? 2007.
2	Barnett M., Finnemore M. The Politics, Power, and Pathologies of International Organizations. International Organization 53(4), 1999. pp. 699-732.
3	Heiskanen V. The rationality of the use of force and the evolution of international organization. In: Coicaud J. M., Heiskanen V. (Eds.) The Legitimacy of International Organizations. The United Nations University Press, 2001, pp. 155-185.
4	Kelley J. D-Minus Elections: The Politics and Norms of International Election Observation. International Organization 63(4), 2009, pp. 765-787.
5	Pevehouse J. Democracy from the Outside In? International Organizations and Democratization. International Organization 56(3), 2002, pp. 519-549.
6	Wallander C. Institutional Assets and Adaptability: NATO after the Cold War. International Organization 54(4), 2000, pp. 705-735.
7	Wallensteen P., Johansson P. Security Council Decisions in Perspective. In: Malone D. M. (Ed.) The UN Security Council. From the Cold War to the 21st Century. Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2004, pp. 17-33.
8	Martin, L., Simmons, B. Theories and Empirical Studies of International Institutions. International Organization 52(4), 1998, pp. 729-757.
9	Voeten E.The Political Origins of the UN Security Council’s Ability to Legitimize the Use of Force. International Organization 59(3), 2005, pp. 527-557.
Other Information Sources
1	The European Convention on Human Rights.
2	The United Nations System – Organizational Chart.
3	TOP 100 NGOs.
4	Election Observation Handbook. OSCE/ODHIR, 2010.
5	Charter of the United Nations.