Lead-in: information about the authors
Before you read
- What do you know about the authors of the text? What is his contribution to the theory of international relations? Have you read anything by this author before?
- Skim the text very quickly and say who it is intended for.
- What is the register of the text?
While you read
I. Read the first four paragraphs carefully, pencil in hand and
1)
find the following words in the text; try to guess their meanings using
the context
2) find Russian
equivalents of the words
3) match the words from the list with their less formal
synonyms
| decipher | strengthen, underpin |
| tenet | pass through, come across |
| conducive | visible, noticeable |
| discernible | move sb/sth forward, motivate |
| espouse | unbalanced, asymmetrical |
| lopsided | support, approve |
| deploy | decode, interpret |
| penetrate | leading to, contributing to |
| reinforce | mobilize, arrange |
| propel | principle, guideline |
4) match the collocations from the text:
| recurrent | groups |
| explicit | the equilibrium |
| contending | of pyramid |
| apex | aim |
| subordinate | into the mass of population |
| disturb | political changes |
| penetrate | struggles |
| reinforce and propel | position |
5) match the term with its definition:
| redress | cause to become |
| reallocate | change to the contrary, cancel officially |
| render | add up again |
| recount | make reparations or amends for |
| reverse | distribute again, or apportion anew |
II. Read the text again and elucidate on the following notions and attributes:
- asymmetry
- equilibrium
- homeostatic
- ultrastable
- explicit
After you read
I. Answer the following questions:
- What causes major powers to enter into major wars?
- Can one reliably predict the approach of war?
II. Summarise the ideas of the chapter
- Definition of war and its relevance in international relations
- Theoretical Framework ( key theories related to war )
- The causes of war, patterns observed in historical conflicts
- The relationship between political, economic, and social factors
- Understanding modern warfare
Describe the models of distribution of power presented in the chapter, speculate on their distinctive features and differences.
III. Assess the text critically according to the following criteria:
- novelty (have you learned anything new?)
- relevance (is this information relevant? Will it be of any use in your own research paper?)
- complexity (was it hard to grasp the main ideas of the text?)