Radical and Reactionary Ideas in International Politics

Radicals & Reactionaries introduces students to themes and ideas at the ideological extremes of world politics. The mainstream of international relations theory has long been divided between liberals and realists, attended by social constructivists, and a handful of less mainstream positions. This course will survey ideological positions to the political extremes on either side, and beyond. We will begin by considering leftist and revolutionary radicalisms, including radical Marxisms, anarchisms, and revolutionary ideas in the anticolonial tradition. In the second half of the course, we will consider conservative and reactionary international thought. The course readings will draw on theoretical works in these traditions, along with relevant secondary literature and linkages to research in IR and international history.