Lead-in: information about the authors

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Keohane-Nye: Power and Interdependence

pp 7-18

Before you read

  1. 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?
  2. Skim the text very quickly and say who it is intended for.
  3. What is the register of the text?

While you read

1)match the collocations from the text:

mutual issues
exceed security
relativesubstitutes
distributional the costs
comparativeability
enhanced policy
potential benefit
obtain control
retain  gains
coherent advantage

2) match the term with its definition:

endowmentthe state of being legally obliged and responsible; an obligation to pay money to another party
adjustmentthe quality of disagreeing; being unsuitable and inappropriate
liabilityfaithful support for a cause or political party or religion
incongruity the act of making an alteration or modification
adherencenatural abilities or qualities; the capital that provides income for an institution

II. Read the text again and elucidate on the following notions:

  1. asymmetrical interdependence
  2. sensitivity patterns
  3. vulnerability dimension

After you read

I. Answer the following question:

  1. How does Henry Kissinger describe the shift in international affairs and the challenges it presents?
  2. What are some examples of modernist perspectives on the impact of telecommunications and jet travel on global interactions?
  3. How do traditionalists view the concept of interdependence and the role of territorial actors in the current geopolitical landscape?

II. Summarise the ideas of the chapter

  • Definition of interdependence in world politics. Importance of governmental actions in shaping interdependence.
  • The Concept of International Regimes
  • Structure and Process in International Systems
  • Changes in International Regimes
  • Theoretical Framework for Understanding Regime Change

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?)