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  • A Research Guide
  • Research Paper Topics

25 Foreign Policy Research Paper Topics

25 foreign policy topics for a successful paper.

  • Foreign policy and the role of propaganda in it
  • Foreign policy of Japan
  • Foreign policy of People’s Republic of Korea
  • Foreign policy in the age of globalization
  • Colonisation and the relations between former colonies and metropoly
  • Weapons of mass destruction as instrument of foreign policy
  • The foreign policy of President Trump
  • The importance of diplomacy in the foreign policy
  • Can terrorism be controllable instrument of foreign policy?
  • Foreign policy of USA and USSR during the Cold War
  • The idea of “Global Democracy”
  • Foreign policy and its dependance of resources of country
  • What makes the country strong enough to be a powerful player on the global arena?
  • Foreign policy of USA
  • Foreign policy of EU
  • Foreign policy of Russia
  • Protecting human rights and the foreign policy
  • Case study of Fashoda Incident
  • Yalta Conference
  • The changes in the foreign policy of China in the last decade
  • The loudest foreign policy events in 2018
  • Dictatorships and the similarities in their foreign policy
  • The changes in the foreign policy of the USA after the tragedy of September 11th
  • Military intervention as an instrument of the foreign policy
  • Humanitarian aid as an instrument of the foreign policy

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80 Foreign Policy Research Topics

FacebookXEmailWhatsAppRedditPinterestLinkedInResearch is the cornerstone of academic growth, and for students embarking on their journey toward crafting an undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral thesis or dissertation in the realm of Foreign Policy, the selection of pertinent research topics is paramount. This critical choice sets the trajectory of in-depth exploration, analysis, and contribution to the field. Navigating the […]

Foreign Policy Research Topics

Research is the cornerstone of academic growth, and for students embarking on their journey toward crafting an undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral thesis or dissertation in the realm of Foreign Policy, the selection of pertinent research topics is paramount. This critical choice sets the trajectory of in-depth exploration, analysis, and contribution to the field. Navigating the vast foreign policy landscape requires a discerning eye, encompassing the intricate interplay of international relations, diplomacy, economic interactions, security concerns, and much more. In this article, we aim to guide aspiring scholars by presenting a diverse range of compelling and intellectually stimulating foreign policy research topics suitable for various academic levels, providing a springboard for their academic endeavors.

Foreign Policy, also known as “international relations,” “diplomacy,” “global affairs,” and “external affairs,” in its essence, refers to a nation’s approach and strategies in dealing with other countries and international actors. It involves the government’s decisions and actions to safeguard its national interests, promote its values and goals, and interact with the global community.

A List Of Potential Research Topics In Foreign Policy:

  • Analyzing the influence of non-state actors on foreign policy outcomes.
  • Assessing the role of trade agreements in shaping economic foreign policy.
  • Analyzing the shifting dynamics of international alliances in the post-pandemic era.
  • Investigating the role of digital diplomacy in navigating public health challenges post-COVID.
  • Investigating the role of public opinion in shaping foreign policy choices.
  • Examining the role of intelligence cooperation in counterterrorism efforts.
  • A review of the effectiveness of sanctions as a foreign policy tool in international relations.
  • Exploring the role of religion in shaping international conflicts and diplomacy.
  • Examining the role of international legal disputes in diplomatic relations.
  • Assessing the role of diplomatic negotiations in resolving territorial disputes.
  • Evaluating the economic ramifications of COVID-19 on emerging markets and global trade.
  • Assessing the use of economic incentives in promoting diplomatic negotiations.
  • Assessing Brexit’s impact on the UK’s foreign policy priorities and strategies.
  • Assessing the UK’s engagement in international humanitarian efforts: A case study analysis.
  • Investigating the use of international law and agreements in addressing global health crises.
  • Investigating the impact of refugee crises on foreign policy decision-making.
  • Investigating the UK’s foreign policy stance towards Russia: Challenges and prospects.
  • A comparative review of cyber diplomacy frameworks and their integration into foreign policy.
  • Assessing the role of human rights advocacy in foreign policy decision-making.
  • A critical review of evolving approaches to multilateral diplomacy in contemporary foreign policy.
  • A comprehensive review of energy security considerations in contemporary foreign policy.
  • Investigating the impact of cyber espionage on diplomatic relations.
  • Analyzing the impact of diplomatic relations on global social stability and development.
  • A review of counterterrorism policies and their impact on foreign policy priorities and strategies.
  • Exploring the reshaping of international migration policies post-COVID-19.
  • Analyzing the role of non-proliferation treaties in preventing nuclear conflict.
  • Examining the UK’s approach to global climate diplomacy and sustainable development goals.
  • Studying the evolving strategies of soft power projection in a post-COVID geopolitical landscape.
  • Examining the dynamics of alliance politics and its impact on foreign policy.
  • Examining the implications of cyber warfare on global security and diplomacy.
  • Assessing the role of economic sanctions in achieving foreign policy goals.
  • Examining the impact of nationalism on foreign policy decision-making.
  • Examining the geopolitics of energy resources and their influence on foreign policy.
  • Examining the challenges of diplomacy in the era of social media.
  • Examining the challenges and opportunities of digital diplomacy in the modern era.
  • Investigating the effectiveness of economic development assistance in conflict zones.
  • Investigating the UK’s response to cyber threats: A case study approach.
  • Investigating the impact of climate change on international relations and cooperation.
  • Examining the impact of cyberattacks on critical infrastructure and foreign policy.
  • Examining the implications of the pandemic on international crisis response strategies.
  • Investigating the role of international organizations in conflict resolution and peacekeeping.
  • A review of the evolving role of international organizations in shaping foreign policy decisions.
  • Assessing the impact of trade wars on global economic stability.
  • Investigating the influence of international media on public perceptions of foreign policy.
  • Assessing the role of soft power in promoting cultural diplomacy.
  • Assessing the effectiveness of crisis diplomacy in averting international conflicts.
  • Evaluating the UK’s role in post-Brexit European security and defense policies.
  • Examining the role of international financial institutions in economic diplomacy.
  • Analyzing the role of international organizations in pandemic response and preparedness.
  • Investigating the impact of migration patterns on foreign policy priorities.
  • Assessing the influence of soft power in shaping foreign policy strategies.
  • Assessing the impact of energy security concerns on foreign policy decisions.
  • Studying the implications of the UK-Africa trade agreements on British foreign policy.
  • An extensive review of public diplomacy in the digital age: Challenges and opportunities.
  • Analyzing the role of economic interdependence in promoting peace and stability.
  • Investigating the role of environmental diplomacy in addressing climate change.
  • Analyzing the impact of economic sanctions on international diplomacy and stability.
  • Analyzing the role of diaspora communities in influencing foreign policy decisions.
  • Investigating the role of economic diplomacy in promoting regional stability.
  • Integrating transparency and accountability in governmental accounting for effective foreign policy implementation.
  • A critical review of gender mainstreaming in foreign policy and its implications on global relations.
  • Analyzing the UK’s role in mediating Middle East conflicts: A case study of recent initiatives.
  • Evaluating the effectiveness of humanitarian interventions in conflict zones.
  • Investigating the use of propaganda and disinformation in foreign policy strategies.
  • Analyzing the use of sanctions in response to human rights violations.
  • Assessing the role of international law in regulating state behavior globally.
  • Investigating the influence of non-governmental organizations in shaping foreign policy.
  • Assessing the role of intelligence agencies in shaping foreign policy agendas.
  • Evaluating the effectiveness of multilateral diplomacy in addressing global challenges.
  • Examining the use of military interventions in addressing humanitarian crises.
  • Analyzing the role of international trade agreements in economic diplomacy.
  • Assessing the influence of the pandemic on climate change policies in global governance.
  • Investigating the role of private sector actors in shaping foreign policy agendas.
  • Analyzing the role of international norms in shaping state behavior.
  • Analyzing the role of intelligence agencies in covert foreign policy operations.
  • Examining the challenges of humanitarian assistance delivery in conflict zones.
  • Examining the challenges of nuclear disarmament in the 21st century.
  • Exploring the role of gender in foreign policy formulation and implementation.
  • Analyzing the role of intelligence sharing in international counterterrorism efforts.
  • Evaluating the effectiveness of international arms control agreements in preventing proliferation.

Selecting an appropriate research topic is the cornerstone of a successful academic pursuit. In the realm of Foreign Policy, the chosen research topic sets the stage for a comprehensive exploration of international relations, governance dynamics, and global interactions. Whether delving into the nuanced world of diplomatic relations, dissecting the intricacies of economic globalization, or analyzing security paradigms, the richness and diversity of research topics in Foreign Policy present ample opportunities for scholarly growth and contributions across all academic levels. Choose a topic that resonates with your intellectual passions and aligns with your literary ambitions, and let your research unfurl the untrodden paths of knowledge in this dynamic field.

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168 Current International Relations Research Topics For Any Level

international relations research topics

Are you a student looking for intriguing international relations research topics? Look no further! In this blog post, we have created a list of 168 unique and thought-provoking research topics in the field of international relations that should help students get an A+ on their next paper.

Whether you’re studying political science, international affairs or related disciplines, this comprehensive list covers a wide range of fascinating subjects. From global governance to security issues, diplomacy, human rights, and more, these topics are designed to inspire your research and help you delve deeper into the complexities of international relations. So, grab your notepad and get ready to explore these captivating research ideas!

A Word On International Relations Theses

International relations is the study of interactions between nations and global actors. It examines politics, economics, security, and culture, exploring how countries cooperate, conflict and shape global dynamics. If you’re about to start working on a thesis in international relations and you are wondering what to include in your paper, here is a short explanation of each of the mandatory chapters:

Introduction: The opening section that presents the research problem, objectives, and significance of the study. Literature Review: A comprehensive review of existing scholarly works related to the research topic, providing a context for the study. Methodology: Describes the research design, data collection methods, and analytical techniques used to address the research questions or hypotheses. Findings: Presents the empirical results or outcomes of the research, often supported by data, analysis, and interpretation. Discussion: Analyzes and interprets the findings in relation to the research objectives, drawing connections to existing literature and providing insights. Conclusion: Summarizes the main findings, highlights the contributions to the field, and suggests avenues for future research. References: Lists all the sources cited in the thesis following a specific citation style (e.g., APA, MLA).

Now, it’s time to deliver on our promise and give you the list of international relations research paper topics. Choose the one you like the most:

Easy International Relations Research Topics

Explore our list of easy international relations research topics that will help you understand global politics and analyze the dynamics of international relations with ease

  • The impact of globalization on state sovereignty and international relations
  • Analyzing the role of non-state actors in global governance structures
  • The influence of soft power in shaping international relations and diplomacy
  • Exploring the relationship between human rights and international relations
  • Examining the dynamics of economic interdependence in international relations
  • The role of international organizations in promoting peace and security
  • Assessing the impact of climate change on international relations and cooperation
  • Analyzing the role of regional integration in shaping global politics
  • The implications of cyber warfare for international relations and national security
  • Examining the challenges and opportunities of humanitarian intervention in international relations
  • Analyzing the role of ideology in shaping state behavior in international relations
  • Exploring the impact of migration and refugee crises on international relations
  • Assessing the role of international law in resolving conflicts and promoting peace
  • Investigating the role of intelligence agencies in shaping international relations

International Relations Thesis Topics

Our wide range of international relations thesis topics will guide you towards developing a strong research question, conducting in-depth analysis, and contributing to the field with your original research:

  • Power dynamics and the balance of power in international relations
  • Exploring the role of diplomacy in conflict resolution and peacebuilding
  • The impact of nuclear proliferation on international security and non-proliferation regimes
  • Analyzing the role of international institutions in managing global crises
  • The influence of nationalism on interstate relations and regional cooperation
  • Examining the role of international norms and human rights in shaping foreign policy
  • Assessing the impact of economic globalization on state sovereignty in international relations
  • The role of social media in shaping public opinion and international relations
  • Exploring the concept of hegemony and its implications for international relations
  • The role of gender in international relations and its impact on policy-making
  • Analyzing the role of intelligence agencies in shaping international relations
  • The implications of emerging technologies on international security and arms control
  • Examining the role of media and propaganda in international conflicts and public opinion
  • The impact of regional integration on state behavior and international cooperation

Advanced International Relations Topics For Research

Dive into complex issues, explore cutting-edge theories, and unravel the intricate dynamics of global affairs with our advanced international relations topics for research:

  • China’s global rise and its power dynamics
  • Non-traditional security threats in international relations
  • AI and warfare: Implications for international security
  • Climate change, conflict, and forced migration in international relations
  • Religion and politics in international relations
  • Populism’s impact on global governance and international relations
  • Social movements and civil society in shaping international relations
  • Pandemics and international cooperation: Implications for global governance
  • Cultural diplomacy and soft power in international relations
  • Information warfare and disinformation in international relations
  • Regional powers shaping global security dynamics
  • Responsibility to protect and humanitarian interventions in international relations
  • Resource scarcity and environmental degradation in international relations
  • Migration and refugee crises’ impact on global stability

International Relations Research Questions

Our carefully curated list of international relations research questions will inspire critical thinking and promote meaningful discussions:

  • How does power transition theory explain shifts in global power dynamics?
  • What are the implications of the rise of non-state actors on traditional state-centric international relations theories?
  • How do identity politics and nationalism shape interstate conflicts?
  • What are the factors influencing state compliance with international human rights norms?
  • How does globalization impact state sovereignty?
  • What are the challenges of multilateralism in addressing global issues?
  • How does public opinion influence state behavior in international relations?
  • What are the causes and consequences of failed states in international relations?
  • How does the distribution of power in international institutions affect their legitimacy?
  • What are the implications of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, on international security?
  • How do regional conflicts and security dilemmas impact regional integration efforts?
  • What are the root causes of terrorism?
  • How does economic interdependence shape interstate relations and global governance structures?
  • What are the challenges of global environmental governance in addressing climate change?

International Relations Paper Topics

Choose one of our international relations paper topics that resonate with your interests and embark on an enriching research journey:

  • The role of ideology in shaping state behavior in international relations
  • Analyzing the impact of economic sanctions on diplomatic relations between countries
  • The role of media and propaganda in influencing public opinion in international conflicts
  • Exploring the relationship between globalization and cultural identity in international relations
  • The implications of cybersecurity threats on national security and international relations
  • Assessing the role of intelligence agencies in gathering and analyzing international intelligence
  • Analyzing the impact of regional organizations on regional conflicts and cooperation in international relations
  • The influence of international trade agreements on global economic and political relations
  • Exploring the dynamics of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation in international relations
  • The role of international law in resolving territorial disputes and promoting peace
  • Non-state actors in international relations: Influence and challenges
  • Conflict resolution mechanisms: Negotiation, mediation, and peacebuilding approaches
  • Diplomatic immunity: Balancing immunity with accountability in international relations
  • The impact of global pandemics on international cooperation and security

Engaging Topic Ideas About International Relations

Are you seeking engaging and captivating topic ideas for your international relations research? Choose one of these engaging topic ideas about international relations:

  • Global governance and international organizations in addressing global challenges.
  • Nationalism’s impact on international relations and global cooperation.
  • Soft power in shaping international perceptions and relations.
  • Regional conflicts’ implications for global stability and security.
  • Cyber warfare: Assessing evolving cyber threats in international relations.
  • Media’s role in international relations: Influence, propaganda, and disinformation.
  • Economic interdependence: Opportunities and risks in global relations.
  • Diplomacy in the digital age: Challenges of virtual diplomacy.
  • Global migration and refugee crises: Humanitarian and political dimensions.
  • Human rights in international relations: Promoting universal rights.
  • Terrorism’s impact on global security and counterterrorism efforts.
  • Environmental diplomacy: Addressing global environmental challenges.
  • Religion’s role in international relations.
  • Regional power dynamics: Influence of major powers in different regions

international relations research topics

Interesting International Relations Research Paper Topics

Uncover fascinating research paper topics in international relations that will captivate your readers and showcase your analytical skills. Use one of these interesting international relations research paper topics:

  • Populism’s rise and its impact on international relations and global governance
  • Climate change’s geopolitical implications: Conflicts, migrations, and resource competition
  • Hybrid warfare: Analyzing blurred lines between conventional and unconventional threats
  • Technology’s impact on diplomacy and the future of diplomatic practices
  • Nuclear energy diplomacy: Balancing peaceful uses and proliferation concerns
  • Soft power and cultural industries’ influence in international relations
  • Politics of humanitarian aid: Challenges and ethical considerations
  • Media framing’s impact on public opinion in international conflicts
  • International cooperation in space exploration and its geopolitical implications
  • Diaspora communities’ role in shaping international relations and global politics
  • Migration policies and human rights: Balancing border control and human dignity
  • Global health governance: Cooperation, challenges, and pandemic responses
  • Environmental peacebuilding: Addressing conflicts over natural resources and degradation
  • Economic sanctions: Effectiveness and ethical implications in international relations

Political Science Dissertation Topics

Our list of political science dissertation topics will provide you with a solid foundation for developing a unique research proposal and making a significant contribution to the field:

  • The role of political ideologies in foreign policy and international relations.
  • National security strategies and state behavior in international relations.
  • Global governance and collective decision-making challenges in international institutions.
  • Public opinion’s influence on foreign policy and international relations.
  • Identity politics and intergroup relations in international contexts.
  • Humanitarian interventions and the responsibility to protect.
  • Geopolitics and resource conflicts: Strategic importance of natural resources.
  • International law’s role in shaping state behavior and resolving conflicts.
  • Comparative political systems in international relations.
  • Political leadership’s impact on diplomatic relations and cooperation.
  • International development assistance: Aid effectiveness and challenges.
  • Non-state actors in global politics: Influence, networks, power dynamics.
  • Intelligence agencies in international intelligence gathering and analysis.
  • Political parties and foreign policy shaping

Current International Relations Topics For Research Paper

Stay up to date with the latest developments in global politics by exploring our selection of current international relations topics for research paper:

  • Emerging technologies’ impact on global security and power dynamics.
  • Transnational threats: Terrorism, crime, and cyber challenges in focus.
  • Regional integration in globalization: Achievements, limitations, and prospects.
  • Trade wars: Implications for global economy and cooperation.
  • Disinformation and fake news: Influence on international politics and public opinion.
  • Climate change negotiations: Progress and challenges in combating global warming
  • Cybersecurity and emerging threats in international relations.
  • Regional power dynamics in the Middle East: Implications for global security
  • Global responses to the COVID-19 pandemic: Cooperation and challenges
  • Climate change mitigation and adaptation in international policy
  • Rising nationalism and its impact on international cooperation
  • Humanitarian crisis in Yemen: International responses and challenges
  • Technology and the future of warfare: Implications for global security
  • The Belt and Road Initiative: Assessing its impact on international relations

Awesome Research Topics For International Relations

Our awesome research topics for international relations allow you to explore diverse areas of global politics and contribute to the field with your exceptional research:

  • NGOs’ role in shaping international policies and agendas
  • Humanitarian interventions and the responsibility to protect: Effectiveness and ethics
  • Cybersecurity challenges in international relations: Risks and responses
  • Global migration governance: Policies and implications
  • Globalization vs national sovereignty: Impacts on state behavior
  • China’s Belt and Road Initiative: Geopolitical influence and challenges
  • Nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation: Effectiveness of treaties
  • Gender in international relations: Impact of norms and policies
  • Post-colonial perspectives in international relations: Power dynamics and legacies
  • Climate justice and international cooperation: Addressing climate change
  • Regional organizations in global governance and international relations
  • Politics of humanitarian intervention: Strategies and outcomes
  • Political economy of international trade: Impact of policies and agreements
  • Populism’s impact on democracy and international relations

Controversial International Relations Topics

Delve into the realm of controversy and discourse with our thought-provoking controversial international relations topics:

  • Drones in targeted killings: Legal and ethical implications
  • Nuclear energy and non-proliferation: Benefits and risks
  • Intervention in state sovereignty: Legitimacy and consequences
  • Ethics of economic sanctions: Effectiveness and impact on civilians
  • Cyber warfare and international norms: Regulating cyber conflicts
  • Climate change’s impact on national security and conflicts
  • Intelligence agencies in covert operations and international relations
  • Politics of humanitarian aid: Motivations and challenges
  • Ethics of military intervention: Justifications and consequences
  • Politics of regime change: Motivations and implications
  • Media bias’s impact on international perceptions and diplomacy
  • Private military companies: Challenges and accountability
  • Politics of disarmament and arms control: Progress and challenges
  • Corporate interests’ influence on foreign policy and relations

Best International Relations Topics For 2023

Stay ahead of the curve with our selection of the best international relations topics for 2023. These carefully curated topics reflect the current trends, emerging challenges and pressing issues:

  • COVID-19 pandemic’s implications on global politics and international relations
  • Rise of populism and its impact on democracy and international cooperation
  • Cybersecurity challenges in a hyper-connected world: Risks and responses
  • Future of international cooperation in addressing global challenges and conflicts
  • Climate change and security: Implications for international relations and stability
  • Evolving role of regional powers in shaping global politics and relations
  • Technological advancements’ impact on state power and international relations
  • Global governance reform: Restructuring international institutions
  • Social media’s role in shaping international perceptions and political movements
  • Challenges and prospects of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation
  • Intersection of artificial intelligence and international relations
  • Impact of trade wars on global economic relations and cooperation
  • Geopolitical tensions in the Arctic: Resource competition and influence
  • Future of multilateralism: Relevance and effectiveness in a changing world

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With our safe and reliable service, you can trust that your paper is in good hands. Whether you’re a college student or in any class, our custom online assistance will ensure that you receive top marks on your international relations research paper. Don’t stress, let our professional service assist you and help you get an A+ on your next international relations research paper!

How do I choose a research topic in international relations?

Consider your interests, current events, and gaps in existing literature to identify an area of focus. Brainstorm potential topics and ensure they align with your research objectives.

What makes a strong international relations research paper?

A strong research paper includes a well-defined research question, solid theoretical framework, rigorous analysis, credible sources, and logical structure. It should also contribute to the existing body of knowledge.

How can I narrow down my international relations research topic?

Consider specific regions, actors, theories, or policy areas within international relations. Narrowing down your topic will allow for a more focused and manageable research paper.

Can I use case studies in my international relations research paper?

Yes, case studies can be valuable in providing empirical evidence and in-depth analysis. They help illustrate theoretical concepts and offer real-world examples to support your arguments.

Political Science Research Topics

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213 International Relations Dissertation Topics That Will Help You Succeed

international relations dissertation topics

International relations dissertation topics cover the relations between different nations, regions, economies, and governments. They also explore the essence of economic ties, trade, global security, diplomacy, and foreign policies. Essentially, these topics don’t focus on one country. Instead, they cover events and their impact on regions or countries. Virtually every country should ensure that its economic and international relations with other nations are longstanding and valuable.

International relations studies enable students to understand the operations and connections of different countries. It also allows learners to know the effects of policy changes and other significant incidents among countries. If struggling to select a topic for your paper in this subject, these ideas should guide you.

Dissertation Topics in International Relations

If looking for a topic that will capture your educator’s attention and compel them to award you the top grade, consider any of these topic ideas. These are some of the best topics that can capture the educator’s attention, but you still will have to take your time to research your preferred topic idea thoroughly and write a brilliant paper to impress the educator.

  • Brexit implications for the European Union and the United Kingdom
  • Current globalization trends of financial markets
  • The primary energy and fuel resources suppliers and consumers
  • What is the American interest Promotion system or lobbying?
  • What is democracy retreat?
  • International relations- What are the direct humanitarian interventions?
  • The US global leadership evolution in a contemporary strategy for international relations
  • Investigating the international refugee laws
  • Modern geopolitics- Celebrating realism instead of idealism
  • Differentiating the League of Nations from the United Nations
  • How a rising China can benefit the United States and her allies
  • Viewing globalization from a socioeconomic perspective
  • Lessons from the Russian and American conflict
  • How the American foreign policy affects democratization and human rights
  • The structure of the International Monetary Fund
  • Controversies around Amnesty International
  • Human rights violation in Uganda
  • What causes global poverty?
  • Causes and effects of the Syrian conflict
  • Power battles in the Arctic Circle
  • Investigating the Non-State actors’ roles in Japan Corporations
  • Global distribution of the GM foods market
  • What are the ethical guidelines for NGOs?
  • Analyzing the global security networks
  • Neo-globalization- Investigating international cooperation
  • Anti-globalization movement and globalization
  • Analyzing patriotism during trans-nationalism
  • How to negotiate for hostages in a foreign country
  • How UMSCA affects international trade
  • The impact of the US exit from the Paris Climate Change Treaty
  • How feminists approach international relations theory
  • Comparing Japan’s and China’s foreign aid policies
  • How the UN has failed in its nuclear disarmament plans
  • How China-Soviet conflict affects the US-China relations
  • Effects of China-Taiwan-Hong Kong relations on the international economy
  • Examining the US foreign policy
  • Why domestic policies matter to international relations
  • Analyzing global anti-colonial justice and inequality
  • Why anti-dumping is necessary for international trade legislation
  • Approaches for foreign policy decision making

Politics and International Relations Dissertation Topics

If interested in international relations and politics, you may want to write a paper on a topic in this category. Here are ideas that can earn learners high grades when researched extensively. Your professor will be interested in any of these topics in international relations and politics. However, take your time to research and analyze information extensively to develop a top-notch paper about your preferred topic.

  • World Health Organization- Benefits of international relations for a global medical system
  • International politics on feminism- Analyzing the constant efforts for ensuring gender equality worldwide
  • The American amendments- Analyzing the US laws and their applications
  • Why foreign labor matters- How immigrants help countries develop their cities
  • Economic alliances between nations- How partnerships provide financial support
  • The Israel conflict- Analyzing the historical conflict between Israel and Palestine
  • Investigating the NATO role in military defense
  • The European Union formation and why it’s important
  • The Arab Spring- Investigating revolutions in Arab countries
  • Religion involvement in politics- Religious and governmental roles
  • The origins of right and left parties- the Interesting story behind the segregation
  • Investigating international relations between democratic and communist countries
  • Cold war Studying its causes and effects on political relations
  • The Communist regime- Investigating the hard times in Europe during communism
  • The First World War- Political situations that facilitated World War 1
  • How the Soviet Union’s collapse influenced international relations between the West and Eastern Europe
  • How Single Europe formation opened up the EU to Eastern European nations while hindering or helping this ideal
  • Why countries in Eastern Europe are susceptible to the Soviet rule
  • Has the integration of Eastern European countries into the EU succeeded?
  • How rising China will affect the relationship between Russia and the West
  • Discussing the primary problems that prompted Eastern European countries to enter the EU
  • Why Russia remains a threat to the Western ideals
  • Has the Cold war ended?
  • Will the pre-eminent role of Russia in Eurasian politics continue with the growing power of China?
  • How Russia influences the fragmented EU
  • Considering the relations between the US and Russia, why have they never declared war?
  • Based on past links, why is Russia always distancing itself from the West?
  • Is hybrid war a part of the Russian threat to Western countries?
  • How Crimea’s annexation by Russia can break relations with Western countries
  • Has the world neglected the Russian threat to Eastern European countries?

Best International Relations Ph.D. Ideas

Do you want to write a Ph.D. dissertation about the latest or topical issue? In that case, pick your dissertation title from this list. These are exciting topics for an international relations dissertation in 2023. Nevertheless, research the issue you choose extensively to gather the latest information to incorporate in your paper.

  • Policy shifts in the US-Russia relations after President Donald Trump
  • What role has the UN played in resolving the Indian annexation of Kashmir?
  • Investigating the intervention of Russia in Syria and its effect on US-Europe relations
  • How the economic growth of China will affect the world
  • Should the world be concerned by the India-China border conflict?
  • Investigating the causes of the China-India conflict
  • Should the US feel threatened by the growth of China as a superpower?
  • Should the US change its stance towards Russia?
  • How the US-China trade war affects global trade
  • Investigating the pulling out of the US military from Germany
  • How cryptocurrencies will affect global business and international relations
  • Why is China emerging as an economic power?
  • What caused Brexit?
  • How the Affordable Care Act affects the healthcare system in the US
  • Impact of the Black Lives Matter movement on the view and discussions about racism
  • Changes in the immigration laws in the US over the past years
  • How the immigration laws in the US compare to those of other countries
  • Effects of states with increased minimum wages
  • Factors that have increased the unemployment rate globally
  • Analyzing the relationship between North Korea and the United States
  • Changes in international relations during the Trump presidency
  • How feminist goals changed in the last ten years
  • How China’s One belt One Road project affected the Indian economy
  • Is Iran a strategic Middle East threat to the US?
  • How US sanctions affect the Interest of Iran in Iraq
  • Implications of sanctions by the US on Iran for Pakistan or India
  • What’s the peacemaker role of Iran in Afghanistan following the US withdrawal?
  • Discuss the Indo-Pacific New Great Game
  • Discuss the Afghanistan-Iran relations following the US withdrawal
  • Iran militia’s effect on Israel-Palestine conflict

Interesting International Relations Thesis Topics

Your thesis topic should be exciting to read about for the educator to award you the top grade. This category has suitable topics for you if looking for interesting international relations and politics dissertation ideas. Pick any of these ideas and then develop them through research to create a thesis that will earn you the top grade.

  • Global policeman- Could the US be using this terminology to cover bullying?
  • Analyzing the differences between the foreign policies of democratic and republican secretaries of State
  • Why political relationships matter in fostering global peace
  • Analyzing the China/Hong Kong relationship and its role in Gaza
  • How weapons trade affects relationships between sellers and buyers
  • Analyzing BRIC countries and their relationships’ economic benefits in the African States
  • Analyzing the relationship between the West and the developing world- Is exploitation or co-dependency?
  • Analyzing the essence of sports, competition, and trade between countries as a way of establishing lasting relationships
  • Investigating the crisis in Qatar international relationship- How to prevent future political problems
  • Analyzing foreign intervention in Political processes in a country and its impact
  • Interpreting the public law and international policies- Do they shield or aid criminals from the laws of their countries?
  • Why is continental currency essential to trade?
  • How can a continental currency aid the Africa economies?
  • Analyzing Britain’s exit from the European Union- How will it affect the European continent?
  • How NATO affects the relationships between Russia and member states
  • Analyzing Ancient Greece’s foreign policies and their impact on nearby states
  • The prominent role of China in modern times regarding Sino-African relations
  • How customs, beliefs, and language define the international policies of a country
  • The impact of religious beliefs on the foreign policy of a country and interactions with other states
  • US actions in the pursuit of national interests- Are they always legit under international law?
  • Decoupling from China- For how long this Trump policy will continue?
  • The long-term effects of Trumpism rise in the US- Dealing with the growing anti-war and isolationist trend.
  • Competing priorities in Western, Eastern Europe, Indo-Pacific, and the Middle East- Does the USA foreign policy lack strategic focus?
  • How will the US approach Brexit?
  • What the Geopolitical influence and power of Russia means for the US foreign policy
  • How does the wall between the US and Mexico affect the global economy?
  • Will liberal internationalism remain the guide for the US foreign policy even with China’s growing power?
  • What is the primary threat to the United States?
  • Who controls the foreign policy of a country, and how does that affects its international relations?
  • How can a perceived threat to a country affect its relations with other nations?

Human Rights Dissertation Topics

Internationally, students have many frameworks and policies addressing human rights that they can consider for their dissertation. Here are some of the topics in this category. Pick any of these topics if interested in international human rights. Investigate the idea extensively to develop an exciting paper.

  • Analyzing critical human rights law elements at an international level
  • A review of human rights from an international law’s perspective
  • How human rights and international relations complement each other at a global level
  • Human rights and their custodian at an international level
  • How do the rules governing international human rights differ from those of your country?
  • Does the UK safeguard the immigrant’s social rights?
  • Do the UK’s legal immigrants get equal economic and social rights with the natives?
  • Transnational attitudes and cultural rights- How globalization affects the UK nationals’ rights
  • A perspective on democratic rights, international human rights, and culture
  • How international human rights shape the legal discipline in the academic world
  • Public trust and international human rights- A domestic perspective
  • Who should safeguard human rights laws at the international level?
  • Who suffers because of conflicts against militias?
  • Exploring international human rights within the tort laws context
  • The implementation challenges facing policies on international human rights
  • Enforcing the international human rights laws- Investigating challenges and achievements
  • Unaccompanied children and international human rights- Reviewing the transnational borders with this issue
  • Cultural, religious, and ethnic rights from the perspective of the international human rights
  • Human rights laws violation- Who should be responsible?
  • International human rights- The view of people suffering from armed atrocities and political oppression
  • Human trafficking- How to address this violation of human rights at a global level
  • Gendering documentation- Is it a manual for defending women’s human rights?

Terrorism Dissertation ideas

Terrorism is an international threat, and countries should combine efforts to fight it. Here are sample topics to consider in this category. These brilliant topics on international relations and terrorism will help you narrow your research extensively before writing your dissertation.

  • How the Western security policy has progressed since the 9/11 terrorist attack
  • How the ongoing war against terrorism has suppressed civil liberties
  • Do the recent terror attacks mean that efforts to fight terrorists have failed?
  • Longitudinal and cross-national comparisons of the public opinion on studies regarding supporting and opposing the war against terrorism
  • Evaluating and measuring counter-terrorism policies
  • Unexpected and unwanted side- The boomerang effects on counter-terrorism
  • Addressing the disconnect in terrorism and counter-terrorism intelligence
  • Gender and terrorism
  • The internet and terrorism
  • Investigating civil war and state repression from an international perspective
  • The media and terrorism- How do they shape public opinion?
  • International counter-terrorism policies
  • Counter-terrorism tactics, strategies, and operations
  • Terrorism groups, actors, and incidents
  • How the 9/11 events support Samuel Huntingdon’s idea of a civilization clash
  • Did the world take enough measures to prevent another terrorism act after the 9/11 attack?
  • Were the United States’ actions following the 9/11 attack legit and proportionate?
  • How did the 9/11 events affect international relations?
  • How did the 9/11 attack influence international relations between the Arab world and the West?
  • Discuss the political lessons that the world has learned from the ongoing terror war
  • How trade between countries has continued despite the overshadowing context of the terror war
  • Defining international terrorism- Is the use of drone attacks and targeted killings a legit response to terror attacks?
  • The impact of international terrorism fears on domestic security laws
  • How countries use their war on terror to justify their security measures
  • How the 9/11 attack acted as a catalyst for the Arab spring’s political upheaval
  • Strategies for countering extremist ideologies at the international level
  • How to strengthen the international resilience against terrorism
  • Conspiracy theories for countering terrorism

More Topics in International Relations

Perhaps, you’re yet to find a topic you would like to work with from the above list. In that case, consider these international relations research topics for more ideas.

  • Why did the Soviet Union sign the Non-Aggression treat in 1939?
  • Why power is central to the perspectives of realists on international relations
  • Why international relations are vital to any country
  • China and Russia- Which is the more significant threat to the US national security?
  • Western countries and security concerns
  • China-US forthcomings
  • China-US conflict or cooperation
  • US involvement in Chile and Peru
  • Present and past US foreign policy
  • Defense and foreign policies in the US
  • The Ukraine crisis and Vladimir Putin
  • The State of EU-US relations
  • International politics theories
  • International theory traditions
  • Israel creation and Truman
  • International relations- The structural theory
  • Weaknesses and strengths of the international law
  • International relations and the second industrial revolution
  • International relations and democracy in the 19th century
  • The European Union and Britain- Analyzing their relations
  • How realists approach international relations
  • International war maturation
  • Negative realism role in world politics
  • The global system and new sovereignty
  • Effects of the Nixon doctrine on international relations
  • International relations problems
  • Overseas military bases- What are their problems?
  • Globalization and its impact on international relations
  • Analyzing the good neighbor policy
  • How liberalism affects international relations
  • Why military ethics matter during the global war
  • Relationship issues between the US and Iran
  • International relations in North Korea- A realistic interpretation

Pick any of these ideas and develop them into a winning dissertation. If unable to do it alone, seek professional assistance online. Use cheap services of expert US, British, or UK writers to complete your dissertation fast without compromising quality. That way, you’ll get a custom dissertation from ENL writers with a proven track record of delivering superior papers for college and university students.

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Digital Commons @ USF > College of Arts and Sciences > School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies > Theses and Dissertations

Government and International Affairs Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2023 2023.

Standing Her Ground: Legal Constraints on Women Who have been Victims of Violence , Janae E. Thomas

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Struggling Against the Odds: Social Movements in Pakistan During Authoritarian Regimes , Sajjad Hussain

The Domestic Reality of Foreign Policy: The 1994 Clinton Administration Response to the Crises in Rwanda and Haiti , Camara Kemanini Silver

American Military Service and Identity: From the Militia to the All-Volunteer Force , Andrew C. Sparks

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

Decolonizing Human Trafficking: A Case Study of Human Trafficking in Edo State Nigeria , Oyinkansola Adepitan

Borges, el Escritor Italiano: Precursores Italianos en/desde Borges , Sara Boscagli

A Dangerous New Era: Analyzing the Impact of Cyber Technology on International Conflict , Kenneth Brown

Networks in the Norm Life Cycle and the Diffusion of Environmental Norms , James E. Fry

Power, Property Rights, and Political Development: A property rights theory of political development and its application to the study of development in Honduras and Costa Rica , Ricardo R. Noé

Bodily Harm: An Analysis of the Phenomenological and Linguistic Aspects of Harm and Trauma , Grant Samuel Peeler

Mystic Medicine: Afro-Jamaican Religio-Cultural Epistemology and the Decolonization of Health , Jake Wumkes

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

The Humanitarian Gaze and the Spectatorial Nature of Sympathy , Michelle Assaad

The Progressive Transformation of Medellín- Colombia: A Successful Case of Women's Political Agency , María Auxiliadora González-Malabet

Restoring International Justice: Exposing the Limitations of Retributive Justice and Proposing a Restorative Dimension , Nazek Jawad

Human Rights, Emotion, and Critical Realism: Proposing an Emotional Ontology of International Human Rights , Ben Luongo

When Faced with a Democracy: political socialization of first-generation ethnic Russian immigrants in Central and South Florida , Marina Seraphine Mendez

Structure of Turkey-USA Bilateral Relations and Analysis of Factors Affecting Bilateral Relations , Hanifi Ozkarakaya

Soviet Nationality Policy: Impact on Ethnic Conflict in Abkhazia and South Ossetia , Nevzat Torun

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

The Influence of The Armenian Diaspora on The American Foreign Policy , Fatih Aydogan

Discourse, Affinity and Attraction: A Case Study of Iran's Soft Power Strategy in Afghanistan , Hiva Feizi

Becoming Legitimate: How PMSCs are Seeking Legitimacy in the International System , Sommer Mitchell

De Mestizas a Indígenas: Reindigenization as a Political Strategy in Ecuador , Pamela X. Pareja

Star Power, Pandemics, and Politics: The Role of Cultural Elites in Global Health Security , Holly Lynne Swayne

Strategic Negligence: Why the United States Failed to Provide Military Support to the Syrian Resistance in 2011-2014 , Konrad J. Trautman

The Viability of Democratic Governance in De Facto States: A Comparative Case Study of Iraqi Kurdistan and Syria Rojava , Chelsea Vogel

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

Cyber Deterrence against Cyberwar between the United States and China: A Power Transition Theory Perspective , Yavuz Akdag

The Role of Elites in the Formation of National Identities: The Case of Montenegro , Muhammed F. Erdem

Measuring Trust in Post-Communist States: Making the Case for Particularized Trust. , Nicole M. Ford

Hidden: A Case Study on Human Trafficking in Costa Rica , Timothy Adam Golob

Latino Subgroups Political Participation in American Politics: The Other Latinos’ Electoral Behavior , Angelica Maria Leon Velez

Re-ethnicization of Second Generation Non-Muslim Asian Indians in the U.S. , Radha Moorthy

Structural Racism: Racists without Racism in Liberal Institutions within Colorblind States , Alexis Nicole Mootoo

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

Venezuela, from Charisma to Mimicry: The Rise and Fall of a Televised Political Drama , Rebecca Blackwell

Containment: A Failed American Foreign Policy and How the Truman Doctrine Led to the Rise in Islamic Extremism in the Muslim World , Christopher Jonathan Gerber

The Role of Religion in Mitigating Cancer Disparities Among Black Americans , Samar Hennawi

Where is the Survivor’s Voice? An Examination of the Individual and Structural Challenges to the Reintegration of Immigrant Human Trafficking Survivors , Michelle Cristina Angelo Dantas Rocha

Changes and Challenges in Diplomacy: An Evaluation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Dominican Republic , Yudelka Santana

How Presidents Can Become "Hip" by Using High Definition Metaphors Strategic Communication of Leadership in a Digital Age , Mirela Camelia Stimus

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

At the Intersection of Human Agency and Technology: Genetically Modified Organisms , James Libengood

The Triumvirate of Intersectionality: a Case Study on the Mobilization of Domésticas in Brazil , Kristen Lei Nash

Strategic Missile Defense: Russian and U.S. Policies and Their Effects on Future Weapons Proliferation , Diana Marie Nesbitt

Staring Down the Mukhabarat: Rhizomatic Social Movements and the Egyptian and Syrian Arab Spring , Stephen Michael Strenges

The Effect of Neoliberalism on Capabilities: Evaluating the Case of Mexico , James Paul Walker

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

Human Trafficking from Southern Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala: Why These Victims are Trafficked into Modern Day Florida , Timothy Adam Golob

The Effects of U.S. Middle East Foreign Policy on American Muslims: A Case Study of Muslims in Tampa Bay , Mark G. Grzegorzewski

Does Revolution Breed Radicalism? An Analysis of the Stalled Revolution in Syria and the Radical Forces Since Unleashed , Ryan King Little

The United States Prison System: A Comparative Analysis , Rachel O'connor

Fair Trade in Transition: Evolution, Popular Discourse, and the Case of the CADO Cooperative in Cotopaxi, Ecuador , Robyn Michelle Odegard

Challenging the Democratic Peace Theory - The Role of US-China Relationship , Toni Ann Pazienza

Continuation in US Foreign Policy: An Offensive Realist Perspective , Bledar Prifti

The Syrian Civil War: Four Concentric Forces of Tensions , Majid Rafizadeh

Key Ingredients in the Rule of Law Recipe: The Role of Judicial Independence in the Effective Establishment of the Rule of Law , Lauren A. Shumate

Leges, Plebiscita, et Rogationes: Democratization and Legislative Action, 494 - 88 BC , Eric Wolters

An Analysis of State Building: The Relationship between Pashtun 'Para-State' Institutions and Political Instability in Afghanistan , Rebecca Young Greven

Accessibility's Influence on Population Location near Light Rail in the Denver Region , Christophe Michael Zuppa

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

A Comparative Study: How Educational and Healthcare Preparedness Affected Marketization of the Chinese and Indian Economies , Cindy Arjoon

Accidental Detention: A Threat to the Legitimacy of Venezuelan Democracy , Mabel Gabriela Durán-Sánchez

European Union Institutions, Democratic Discourse, and the Color Revolutions , Lizette G. Howard

The End of Anarchy: Weapons of Mass Destruction and the States System , Gregory Edward Johnson

Trends in the Contracting out of Local Government Services , Cristiane Carvalho Keetch

Framing Colombian Women's Beliefs, Values and Attitude Towards Sex and Sexual High-Risk Behaviors , Rosa Ore

Impacts of U.S. Foreign Policy and Intervention on Guatemala: Mid-20th Century , Patricia M. Plantamura

Maximizing Citizenship with Minimal Representation: An Analysis of Afro-Argentine Civil Society Organizing Strategies , Prisca Suarez

From Zaire to the DRC: A Case Study of State Failure , Adam Zachariah Trautman

Guanxi, Networks and Economic Development: The Impact of Cultural Connections , Patricia Anne Weeks

Comparative Political Corruption in the United States: The Florida Perspective , Andrew Jonathon Wilson

Theses/Dissertations from 2012 2012

Modernization From Above: Social Mobilization, Political Institutionalization and Instability: A Case Study of Iran (1953-1979) , Jeffrey Robert Cobb

The Relationship between the Social Construction of Race and the Black/White Test Score Gap in , Toriano M. Dempsey

The Causes and Effects of Get Tough: A Look at How Tough-on-Crime Policies Rose to the Agenda and an Examination of Their Effects on Prison Populations and Crime , Cheyenne Morales Harty

Hegemonic Rivalry in the Maghreb: Algeria and Morocco in the Western Sahara Conflict , Michael D. Jacobs

The Politics of Pentecostalism; Does it Help or Hinder Democratic Consolidation in Brazil? , Amber S. Johansen

Women's Political Representation in Europe: An Analysis of Structural and Attitudinal Factors , Jenna Elaine Mcculloch

Examining the Relationship between Participatory Democracy and Nonwhite Domestic Workers in Porto Alegre, Brazil: Issues of Race, Class and Privilege , Alexis Nicole Mootoo

The Indigenous Movement and the Struggle for Political Representation in Bolivia , Angelica T. Nieves

MAS and the Indigenous People of Bolivia , Maral Shoaei

Cyberwar and International Law: An English School Perspective , Anthony F. Sinopoli

The Homegrown Jihad: A Comparative Study of Youth Radicalization in the United States and Europe , William Wolfberg

Theses/Dissertations from 2011 2011

The State and the Legalization of Dual Citizenship/Dual Nationality: A Case Study of Mexico and the Philippines , Pamela Kim Anderson

The Integration of African Muslim Minority: A Critique of French Philosophy and Policy , Amber Nichole Dillender

Elections and Tensions and Constitutions! Oh, My! A Process-Oriented Analysis of Bolivian Democratization from 1993 to 2009 , Laurel Kristin Dwyer

Cuban Medical Internationalism: A Case for International Solidarity in Foreign Policy Decision Making , Eric James Fiske

The Threat to Democracy in Brazil's Public Sphere , Daniel Nettuno

Prospects for Political Reform in China , Jody Lee Tomlin

Theses/Dissertations from 2010 2010

The Positive- and Negative-Right Conceptions of Freedom of Speech and the Specter of Reimposing the Broadcast Fairness Doctrine ... or Something Like It , Adam Fowler

The Christian Zionist Lobby and U.S.-Israel Policy , Mark G. Grzegorzewski

An Analysis of U.S. Policies Targeting the Iranian Nuclear Program , Bryan T. Hamilton

Religion and Resistance: The Role of Islamic Doctrine in Hamas and Hezbollah , Matthew Lawson

Prospects for Nuclear Non-Proliferation: An Actor-Oriented Case Study of Iran’s Future , James Martin Lockwood

Impact of Globalization on Socio-Economic and Political Development of the Central Asian Countries , Karina Orozalieva

Mubarak’s Machine: The Durability of the Authoritarian Regime in Egypt , Andrea M. Perkins

International Society Cosmopolitan Politics and World Society , Kimberly Weaver

Theses/Dissertations from 2009 2009

From China to Cuba: Guerilla Warfare as a Mechanism for Mobilizing Resources , Jorge Barrera

Neoliberalism and Dependence: A Case Study of The Orphan Care Crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa , Christine Concetta Gibson

City Level Development New Key to Successful Development , Gina Herron

The neoconservative war on modernity: The Bush Doctrine and its resistance to legitimation , Ben Luongo

The Security and Foreign Policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran: An Offensive Realism Perspective , Bledar Prifti

Transdiscursive cosmopolitanism: Foucauldian freedom, subjectivity, and the power of resistance , Joanna Rozpedowski

Making and Keeping the Peace: An Analysis of African Union Efficacy , Nicholas Temple

Social Implications of Fair Trade Coffee in Chiapas, Mexico: Toward Alternative Economic Integration , Joseph J. Torok

Theses/Dissertations from 2008 2008

Role of Culture in Economic Development: China Study of China and Latin America , Amira Fellner

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US Foreign Policy Dissertation Topics and Examples

Published by Owen Ingram at January 6th, 2023 , Revised On January 6, 2023

US foreign policy has evolved significantly since the country’s inception. Since 1776, the US government has employed various strategies to protect and advance its interests abroad, foster relationships with other nations, and promote peace around the world. Over time, these policies have been shaped by geopolitics, international law, and public opinion.

At its core, there are four main principles:

  • diplomatic engagement with other countries
  • fostering economic prosperity through trade agreements and investments
  • protecting national security by leveraging military prowess
  • promoting universal values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law

Through these principles, the United States has strived to maintain global stability while promoting its own interests in a complex international environment.

As new challenges like terrorism or climate change arise, US foreign policy must continue to adapt to best serve the nation’s needs.

The topic of US foreign policy is an area of research that has grown in importance and relevance over the past few decades.

As countries become increasingly interconnected, the decisions made by US leaders have a direct impact on how other nations, both near and far, respond to events around the world.

For students looking for dissertation topics , researching US foreign policy offers a wealth of information to explore.

The study of US foreign policy provides students with an overview of the current state of international affairs.

Researching this topic can offer insight into complex political issues such as trade agreements between nations, geopolitical tensions between different regions and security concerns that arise from terrorist threats or military actions abroad.

Additionally, studies on US foreign policy allow students to look at how the country interacts with its allies and adversaries, providing them with a comprehensive understanding of how diplomacy works globally.

US Foreign Policy Dissertation Topics: How to Choose?

Writing a dissertation on US foreign policy is exciting, yet it can also be challenging. With so much to choose from in foreign policy, deciding which topic to focus on can be overwhelming.

Here are some tips for choosing a dissertation topic related to US foreign policy to make the decision easier.

  • Consider what interests you most about the field of US foreign policy.
  • Think about what particular aspects of this subject are most captivating or intriguing to you, and make a list of potential topics.
  • Once you have narrowed your list, research each topic thoroughly to determine its relevance in today’s political landscape.
  • Consider what resources are available; factor in primary sources such as government documents or personal interviews with people involved in the issue; and secondary sources such as scholarly articles or other published works dealing with the subject matter.
  • Consider whether there is enough evidence to support a strong argument and any recent developments related to each candidate’s topic.
  • Review other scholarly works on related topics and include their findings in your analysis when appropriate.
  • Geography Dissertation Topics
  • International Development Topics
  • Diplomacy Dissertation Topics
  • Brexit Dissertation Topics

List of US Foreign Policy Topics for Dissertation

  • Public opinion and American foreign policy
  • The diplomacy of ideas: US foreign policy and cultural relations, 1938-1950
  • Public opinion and public policy, 1980-1993
  •  Terrorism and US foreign policy
  • Foreign policy topic of a talk by church
  • The hypocrisy trap: US Foreign aid in the middle east
  • America’s Empire in the Philippines. Headlines series 288.
  • Understanding the unilateralist turn in US foreign policy
  • The politics of scrutiny in human rights monitoring: evidence from structural topic models of US State Department human rights reports
  • Projections of power: Framing news, public opinion, and US foreign policy
  • Writing security: United States foreign policy and the politics of identity.
  • Defending the national interest: Raw materials investments and US foreign policy
  •  Ideology and US foreign policy
  • America unbound: The bush revolution in foreign policy.
  • Who influences US foreign policy?
  • The Wilsonian century: US foreign policy since 1900
  • The media’s role in US foreign policy
  • The age of imperialism: The economics of US foreign policy
  • Why Americans must lead again: Recusing US foreign policy after Trump
  • World power trends and US foreign policy for the 1980s
  • Agendas, alternatives, and public policy: Lessons from the US foreign policy arena
  • Testing models of US foreign policy: Foreign aid during and after the Cold War
  • Ethnic groups and US foreign policy
  • Why is health important to US foreign policy?

The Importance of Selecting the Right US Foreign Policy Dissertation Topic

Choosing the right topic for a US foreign policy dissertation can offer multiple benefits.

  • Firstly, it will help ensure that students can adequately explore the research subject matter effectively and comprehensively. The more focused and specific the thesis topic is, the easier it will be to uncover trends and patterns in data.
  • Secondly, selecting a relevant topic also helps to maintain the reader’s interest throughout the research paper or dissertation. By choosing an exciting and engaging subject to explore in-depth, readers will stay engaged with an argument over extended periods.
  • Finally, focusing on one single aspect of a more significant issue, such as US foreign policy, allows you to gain a greater understanding of its complexities, leading to further areas of exploration or potential future studies.

How Can ResearchProspect Help?

ResearchProspect writers can send several custom topic ideas to your email address. Once you have chosen a topic that suits your needs and interests, you can order for our dissertation outline service which will include a brief introduction to the topic, research questions , literature review , methodology , expected results , and conclusion . The dissertation outline will enable you to review the quality of our work before placing the order for our full dissertation writing service!

FAQs About US Foreign Policy Dissertation Ideas

How do i choose the most appropriate us foreign policy dissertation topic.

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Ten Theses on Political Economy and Foreign Policy

As the mainstream consensus on foreign affairs begins to erode, it's time to bring economics back into the discussion. 

by Ganesh Sitaraman

April 29, 2019

ap_19066584260896.jpg.jpe

Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

The consensus in American foreign policy over the last 40 years is under increasing strain. Despite important disagreements, both neoconservatives and liberal internationalists supported an aggressive role for America abroad with respect to democracy promotion and economic liberalization. But between the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, the global financial crash, and widening inequality, the consensus positions have become less and less viable. Foreign-policy analysts are now shifting their focus to the return of great-power politics, as countries like China and Russia flex their muscles.

Both the old consensus positions and the new emphasis on the return of great-power politics suffer from not taking political economy seriously enough. A political-economy approach holds that economics and politics are inseparable. Politics structures the economy and is in turn shaped by economic relationships. Liberal internationalists and neoconservatives considered economics in their foreign policies, but they adopted a rosy and highly unrealistic view that democracy and neoliberal economics would go together and produce flourishing, equitable societies. Today's commentators on the rise of authoritarianism and the return of great-power confrontation, in contrast, simply have little to say about economics in their analyses.

These ten theses are an attempt to take seriously political economy in thinking generally about contemporary foreign policy. They are stylized for emphasis and effect, leaving out the inevitable qualifications and nuances that attend specific situations. But they illuminate some central principles and implications of approaching politics and economics as inseparable. Ultimately, we have to understand both, their interplay, and their particular configurations if we are to understand the world as it is—and as it could be.

(1) Economic power is political power. This is well understood in international affairs: A country's economic power affects its geopolitical power. This is also true in domestic affairs, where the economic power of an individual or interest group can be political power.

(2) Economic power has opposite consequences for democracies in the domestic and foreign-policy realms. Domestically, concentrated economic power threatens democracy, as private individuals or entities can capture government, transforming it into an oligarchy. As a result, democracies must break up or regulate economic power internally. In foreign policy, however, the nation as a whole needs significant economic power to protect democracy from adversaries who would use their economic and political power to oppress the country or undermine democracy. As a result, democracies must gain and project economic power externally. This principle falls short of being a paradox, but its implications are clear: Democracies need economic power, but they cannot rely on barely regulated or unregulated private corporations (“national champions”), whose economic power can undermine democracy.

What's good for big corporations is not necessarily good for democracy.

Domestically, concentrated corporate power can undermine democracy; it therefore needs to be broken up or tamed through regulation. Internationally, corporations may kowtow to foreign oligarchs and autocrats to gain market access—at once strengthening those regimes, giving them access to the corporation and its knowledge, and introducing a vector for leverage and influence. As corporations become more global, the pursuit of profits for shareholders might even push them to advocate for the interests of foreign states over democracy.

(4) Nationalist oligarchies , countries like China and Russia that are also called state capitalist or authoritarian capitalist regimes, have as their central feature the fusion of economic and political power. Their economic entities should generally be understood as political, either arms of the state or infected by the state’s political influence. These regimes face no opposition between domestic and foreign economic power: Economically powerful corporations strengthen the state, and the state strengthens them. In foreign policy, economic power and political power are aligned.

(5) International economic institutions will only be good for democracy if they do not undermine economic democracy. If international institutions adopt rules that concentrate economic power and deepen inequality, this can undermine political democracy at home. If international economic institutions are captured by economic elites, their policies can undermine democracies around the world. International institutions therefore cannot be defended uncritically; the substance of their policies is as important as their existence.

(6) International engagement can lead to “reverse entanglement,” which, in other forms, has been called “weaponized interdependence” or “geoeconomics.” Many think that global integration will lead to economic and political liberalization. But when nationalist oligarchies are integrated into international economic institutions or become economically integrated with democracies, they can instead gain power to coerce countries and achieve their geopolitical aims. When a state's corporate entities are arms of the state, economic integration gives the state leverage—pathways for the exercise of political power. By seeking to entangle nationalist oligarchies, democracies can themselves become ensnared. Enthusiasts of China's entry into the WTO wishfully predicted that membership would cause China to become more like the West. But instead, the West has become increasingly dependent on China.

(7) Democracies should engage with each other economically, but they must combine liberalization with robust policies to maintain political and economic democracy at home. Integration between democracies is critical because it builds their combined international economic power vis-à-vis that of nationalist oligarchies. But integration must simultaneously prevent the concentration of economic power at home. International engagement must focus as much on rebuilding unions, enforcing antitrust laws, adopting smart regulations, closing tax havens, and restricting the money power from politics as it does on lowering barriers to trade. Without such policies, the pursuit of international economic power will undermine democracy at home.

(8) Democracies integrating economically with powerful nationalist oligarchies are in great danger, unless they are careful. Economic integration gives nationalist oligarchies leverage to pressure, blackmail, or hold hostage democracies and their major corporations, and can lead to corruption seeping into and undermining democracy. Democracies should therefore begin to engage in selective disentanglement to protect themselves from dependence on these countries.

(9) Democracies entangled with nationalist oligarchies must also diversify their economic relationships, seeking out opportunities to build bridges with other democracies, in order to counter the political influence nationalist oligarchies might have—and to strengthen their resilience in the event of economic conflict. This means deepening interdependence with other democracies, strengthening democratic alliances, and helping allies disentangle themselves from nationalist oligarchies as well.

(10) Democracies must have a development policy, an internal industrial and innovation policy. Development makes a country independent and increases resilience in the face of economic threats, reducing the leverage that nationalist oligarchies might have in the future to pressure democracies. A development policy must be active and aggressive, building national economic power throughout the country—it cannot be implemented through policies that focus on lightly regulated or unregulated national champions. Democracy requires dispersing and restricting economic power internally—so too must its strategy for development.

Economic power is exercised within and across borders, and it acts as a vector for political power and influence. It is and has always been a threat to the existence of democracy. The post–Cold War project of promoting neoliberal capitalism deepened this danger by eroding democratic controls on economic power. It cannot be the path forward, even if modestly reformed. Nor does Cold War containment provide an off-the-shelf strategy: In that era, the Soviet Union was not integrated into the global trading system. What is needed now is a different way of thinking about foreign policy, one that both integrates politics and economics seamlessly and is hard-headed about the uses and abuses of economic power.

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17.3 Institutional Relations in Foreign Policy

Learning objectives.

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

  • Describe the use of shared power in U.S. foreign policymaking
  • Explain why presidents lead more in foreign policy than in domestic policy
  • Discuss why individual House and Senate members rarely venture into foreign policy
  • List the actors who engage in foreign policy

Institutional relationships in foreign policy constitute a paradox. On the one hand, there are aspects of foreign policymaking that necessarily engage multiple branches of government and a multiplicity of actors. Indeed, there is a complexity to foreign policy that is bewildering, in terms of both substance and process. On the other hand, foreign policymaking can sometimes call for nothing more than for the president to make a formal decision, quickly endorsed by the legislative branch. This section will explore the institutional relationships present in U.S. foreign policymaking.

FOREIGN POLICY AND SHARED POWER

While presidents are more empowered by the Constitution in foreign than in domestic policy, they nonetheless must seek approval from Congress on a variety of matters; chief among these is the basic budgetary authority needed to run foreign policy programs. Indeed, most if not all of the foreign policy instruments described earlier in this chapter require interbranch approval to go into effect. Such approval may sometimes be a formality, but it is still important. Even a sole executive agreement often requires subsequent funding from Congress in order to be carried out, and funding calls for majority support from the House and Senate. Presidents lead, to be sure, but they must consult with and engage the Congress on many matters of foreign policy. Presidents must also delegate a great deal in foreign policy to the bureaucratic experts in the foreign policy agencies. Not every operation can be run from the West Wing of the White House.

At bottom, the United States is a separation-of-powers political system with authority divided among executive and legislative branches, including in the foreign policy realm. Table 17.1 shows the formal roles of the president and Congress in conducting foreign policy.

The main lesson of Table 17.1 is that nearly all major outputs of foreign policy require a formal congressional role in order to be carried out. Foreign policy might be done by executive say-so in times of crisis and in the handful of sole executive agreements that actually pertain to major issues (like the Iran Nuclear Agreement). In general, however, a consultative relationship between the branches in foreign policy is the usual result of their constitutional sharing of power. A president who ignores Congress on matters of foreign policy and does not keep them briefed may find later interactions on other matters more difficult. Probably the most extreme version of this potential dynamic occurred during the Eisenhower presidency. When President Dwight D. Eisenhower used too many executive agreements instead of sending key ones to the Senate as treaties, Congress reacted by considering a constitutional amendment (the Bricker Amendment ) that would have altered the treaty process as we know it. Eisenhower understood the message and began to send more agreements through the process as treaties. 10

Shared power creates an incentive for the branches to cooperate. Even in the midst of a crisis, such as the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, it is common for the president or senior staff to brief congressional leaders in order to keep them up to speed and ensure the country can stand unified on international matters. That said, there are areas of foreign policy where the president has more discretion, such as the operation of intelligence programs, the holding of foreign policy summits, and the mobilization of troops or agents in times of crisis. Moreover, presidents have more power and influence in foreign policymaking than they do in domestic policymaking. It is to that power that we now turn.

THE TWO PRESIDENCIES THESIS

When the media cover a domestic controversy, such as social unrest or police brutality, reporters consult officials at different levels and in branches of government, as well as think tanks and advocacy groups. In contrast, when an international event occurs, such as a terrorist bombing in Paris or Brussels, the media flock predominately to one actor—the president of the United States—to get the official U.S. position.

In the realm of foreign policy and international relations, the president occupies a leadership spot that is much clearer than in the realm of domestic policy. This dual domestic and international role has been described by the two presidencies thesis . This theory originated with University of California–Berkeley professor Aaron Wildavsky and suggests that there are two distinct presidencies, one for foreign policy and one for domestic policy, and that presidents are more successful in foreign than domestic policy. Let’s look at the reasoning behind this thesis.

The Constitution names the president as the commander-in-chief of the military, the nominating authority for executive officials and ambassadors, and the initial negotiator of foreign agreements and treaties. The president is the agenda-setter for foreign policy and may move unilaterally in some instances. Beyond the Constitution, presidents were also gradually given more authority to enter into international agreements without Senate consent by using the executive agreement. We saw above that the passage of the War Powers Resolution in 1973, though intended as a statute to rein in executive power and reassert Congress as a check on the president, effectively gave presidents two months to wage war however they wish. Given all these powers, we have good reason to expect presidents to have more influence and be more successful in foreign than in domestic policy.

A second reason for the stronger foreign policy presidency has to do with the informal aspects of power. In some eras, Congress will be more willing to allow the president to be a clear leader and speak for the country. For instance, the Cold War between the Eastern bloc countries (led by the Soviet Union) and the West (led by the United States and Western European allies) prompted many to want a single actor to speak for the United States. A willing Congress allowed the president to take the lead because of urgent circumstances ( Figure 17.12 ). Much of the Cold War also took place when the parties in Congress included more moderates on both sides of the aisle and the environment was less partisan than today. A phrase often heard at that time was, “Partisanship stops at the water’s edge.” This means that foreign policy matters should not be subject to the bitter disagreements seen in party politics.

Does the thesis’s expectation of a more successful foreign policy presidency apply today? While the president still has stronger foreign policy powers than domestic powers, the governing context has changed in two key ways. First, the Cold War ended in 1989 with the demolition of the Berlin Wall, the subsequent disintegration of the Soviet Union, and the eventual opening up of Eastern European territories to independence and democracy. These dramatic changes removed the competitive superpower aspect of the Cold War, in which the United States and the USSR were dueling rivals on the world stage. The absence of the Cold War has led to less of a rally-behind-the-president effect in the area of foreign policy.

Second, beginning in the 1980s and escalating in the 1990s, the Democratic and Republican parties began to become polarized in Congress. The moderate members in each party all but disappeared, while more ideologically motivated candidates began to win election to the House and later the Senate. Hence, the Democrats in Congress became more liberal on average, the Republicans became more conservative, and the moderates from each party, who had been able to work together, were edged out. It became increasingly likely that the party opposite the president in Congress might be more willing to challenge his initiatives, whereas in the past it was rare for the opposition party to publicly stand against the president in foreign policy.

Finally, several analysts have tried applying the two presidencies thesis to contemporary presidential-congressional relationships in foreign policy. Is the two presidencies framework still valid in the more partisan post–Cold War era? The answer is mixed. On the one hand, presidents are more successful on foreign policy votes in the House and Senate, on average, than on domestic policy votes. However, the gap has narrowed. Moreover, analysis has also shown that presidents are opposed more often in Congress, even on the foreign policy votes they win. 11 Democratic leaders regularly challenged Republican George W. Bush on the Iraq War and it became common to see the most senior foreign relations committee members of the Republican Party opposing the foreign policy positions of Democratic president Barack Obama. Such challenging of the president by the opposition party simply didn’t happen during the Cold War.

In the Trump administration, there was a distinct shift in foreign policy style. While for some regions, like South America, Trump was content to let the foreign policy bureaucracies proceed as they always had, in certain areas, the president was pivotal in changing the direction of American foreign policy. For example, he stepped away from two key international agreements—the Iran-Nuclear Deal and the Paris climate change accords. Moreover, his actions in Syria were quite unilateral, employing bombing raids unilaterally on two occasions. This approach reflected more of a neoconservative foreign policy approach, similar to Obama's widespread use of drone strikes.

Therefore, it seems presidents no longer enjoy unanimous foreign policy support as they did in the early 1960s. They have to work harder to get a consensus and are more likely to face opposition. Still, because of their formal powers in foreign policy, presidents are overall more successful on foreign policy than on domestic policy.

THE PERSPECTIVE OF HOUSE AND SENATE MEMBERS

Congress is a bicameral legislative institution with 100 senators serving in the Senate and 435 representatives serving in the House. How interested in foreign policy are typical House and Senate members?

While key White House, executive, and legislative leaders monitor and regularly weigh in on foreign policy matters, the fact is that individual representatives and senators do so much less often. Unless there is a foreign policy crisis, legislators in Congress tend to focus on domestic matters, mainly because there is not much to be gained with their constituents by pursuing foreign policy matters. 12 Domestic policy matters resonate more strongly with the voters at home. A sluggish economy, increasing health care costs, and crime matter more to them than U.S. policy toward North Korea, for example. In an open-ended Gallup poll question from early 2021 about the “most important problem” in the United States, fewer than 10 percent of respondents named a foreign policy topic (and most of those respondents mentioned immigration). These results suggest that foreign policy is not at the top of many voters’ minds. In the end, legislators must be responsive to constituents in order to be good representatives and to achieve reelection. 13

However, some House and Senate members do wade into foreign policy matters. First, congressional party leaders in the majority and minority parties speak on behalf of their institution and their party on all types of issues, including foreign policy. Some House and Senate members ask to serve on the foreign policy committees, such as the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations , the House Foreign Affairs Committee , and the two defense committees ( Figure 17.13 ). These members might have military bases within their districts or states and hence have a constituency reason for being interested in foreign policy. Legislators might also simply have a personal interest in foreign policy matters that drives their engagement in the issue. Finally, they may have ambitions to move into an executive branch position that deals with foreign policy matters, such as secretary of state or defense, CIA director, or even president.

Get Connected!

Let people know what you think.

Most House and Senate members do not engage in foreign policy because there is no electoral benefit to doing so. Thus, when citizens become involved, House members and senators will take notice. Research by John Kingdon on roll-call voting and by Richard Hall on committee participation found that when constituents are activated, their interest becomes salient to a legislator and the legislator will respond. 14

One way you can become active in the foreign policy realm is by writing a letter or e-mail to your House member and/or your two U.S. senators about what you believe the U.S. foreign policy approach in a particular area ought to be. Perhaps you want the United States to work with other countries to protect dolphins from being accidentally trapped in tuna nets. You can also state your position in a letter to the editor of your local newspaper, or post an opinion on the newspaper’s website where a related article or op-ed piece appears. You can share links to news coverage on Facebook or Twitter and consider joining a foreign policy interest group such as Greenpeace.

When you engaged in foreign policy discussion as suggested above, what type of response did you receive?

Link to Learning

For more information on the two key congressional committees on U.S. foreign policy, visit the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and the House Foreign Affairs Committee websites.

THE MANY ACTORS IN FOREIGN POLICY

A variety of actors carry out the various and complex activities of U.S. foreign policy: White House staff, executive branch staff, and congressional leaders.

The White House staff members engaged in foreign policy are likely to have very regular contact with the president about their work. The national security advisor heads the president’s National Security Council , a group of senior-level staff from multiple foreign policy agencies, and is generally the president’s top foreign policy advisor. Also reporting to the president in the White House is the director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Even more important on intelligence than the CIA director is the director of national intelligence, a position created in the government reorganizations after 9/11, who oversees the entire intelligence community in the U.S. government. The Joint Chiefs of Staff consist of six members, one each from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines, plus a chair and vice chair. The chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is the president’s top uniformed military officer. In contrast, the secretary of defense is head of the entire Department of Defense but is a nonmilitary civilian. The U.S. trade representative develops and directs the country’s international trade agenda. Finally, within the Executive Office of the President , another important foreign policy official is the director of the president’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The OMB director develops the president’s yearly budget proposal, including funding for the foreign policy agencies and foreign aid.

In addition to those who work directly in the White House or Executive Office of the President, several important officials work in the broader executive branch and report to the president in the area of foreign policy. Chief among these is the secretary of state. The secretary of state is the nation’s chief diplomat, serves in the president’s cabinet, and oversees the Foreign Service. The secretary of defense, who is the civilian (nonmilitary) head of the armed services housed in the Department of Defense , is also a key cabinet member for foreign policy (as mentioned above). A third cabinet secretary, the secretary of homeland security, is critically important in foreign policy, overseeing the massive Department of Homeland Security ( Figure 17.14 ).

Insider Perspective

Former secretary of defense robert gates.

Former secretary of defense Robert Gates served under both Republican and Democratic presidents. First Gates rose through the ranks of the CIA to become the director during the George H. W. Bush administration. He then left government to serve as an academic administrator at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, where he rose to the position of university president. He was able to win over reluctant faculty and advance the university’s position, including increasing the faculty at a time when budgets were in decline in Texas. Then, when Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld resigned, President George W. Bush invited Gates to return to government service as Rumsfeld’s replacement. Gates agreed, serving in that capacity for the remainder of the Bush years and then for several years in the Obama administration before retiring from government service a second time ( Figure 17.15 ). He has generally been seen as thorough, systematic, and fair.

In his memoir, Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War , 15 Secretary Gates takes issue with the actions of both the presidents for whom he worked, but ultimately he praises them for their service and for upholding the right principles in protecting the United States and U.S. military troops. In this and earlier books, Gates discusses the need to have an overarching plan but says plans cannot be too tight or they will fail when things change in the external environment. After leaving politics, Gates served as president of the Boy Scouts of America, where he presided over the change in policy that allowed openly gay scouts and leaders, an issue with which he had had experience as secretary of defense under President Obama. In that role Gates oversaw the end of the military’s “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. 16

What do you think about a cabinet secretary serving presidents from two different political parties? Is this is a good idea? Why or why not?

The final group of official key actors in foreign policy are in the U.S. Congress. The Speaker of the House, the House minority leader, and the Senate majority and minority leaders are often given updates on foreign policy matters by the president or the president’s staff. They are also consulted when the president needs foreign policy support or funding. However, the experts in Congress who are most often called on for their views are the committee chairs and the highest-ranking minority members of the relevant House and Senate committees. In the House, that means the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Committee on Armed Services. In the Senate, the relevant committees are the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Armed Services Committee. These committees hold regular hearings on key foreign policy topics, consider budget authorizations, and debate the future of U.S. foreign policy.

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Garnizova, Elitsa (2018) The new political economy of trade: understanding the treatment of non-tariff measures in European Union trade policy. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Freeman, Jonathan (2018) Military assistance as a tool of 20th Century American grand strategy: the American experience in Korea and Vietnam after World War II. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Pauls, Evelyn (2018) Unravelling the poster child: the international norm against child soldiering in Sierra Leone and Myanmar. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Ciflikli, Gokhan (2018) Learning conflict duration: insights from predictive modelling. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Hartnett, Liane (2018) Love in a time of empire: an engagement with the political thought of Tolstoy, Tagore and Camus. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Carrozza, Ilaria (2018) Securing the way to power: China’s rise and its normative peace and security agenda in Africa. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Haspeslagh, Sophie (2018) The effect of proscription on pre-negotiation: a comparative analysis of making peace with Colombia’s FARC before and after 9/11. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Danewid, Ida (2018) Race, capital, and the politics of solidarity: radical internationalism in the 21st century. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Wang, Ziyuan (2018) The political logic of status competition: cases from China, 1962-1979. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Dessí, Andrea T. (2018) Normalizing the Israel asset. The Reagan administration and the second cold war in the Middle East: leverage, blowback and the institutionalization of the US-Israel 'Special Relationship'. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Sharma, Rahul (2018) American civil religion and the puritan antecedents of American foreign policy. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Blanc, Emmanuelle (2018) The EU in quest for the recognition of its institutional identity: the case of the EU-US dialogues. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Bareis, Luka (2018) Interstate resource conflicts: international networks and the realpolitik of natural resource acquisition. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

George, Rachel (2018) From contestation to convergence? A constructivist critique of the impact of UN Human Rights Treaty ratification on interpretations of Islam in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Kaushal, Sidharth (2018) Reconceptualising strategic culture as a focal point: the impact of strategic culture on a nation’s grand strategy. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Lee, Sohyun (2017) A step toward East Asian regionalism? Comparing the negotiation approaches of South Korea and Japan in their preferential trade agreements with ASEAN. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Feist, Marian Johannes (2017) Learning in international negotiations: the strategic use of lessons in post-agreement climate finance politics. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

McKeil, Aaron (2017) Searching for a world polity: the world after international anarchy question. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Hamilton, Scott (2017) Governing through the climate: climate change, the anthropocene, and global governmentality. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Suleimanova, Neal (2017) Why keep protecting the few without external incentives? Compliance with minority rights norms after attaining IO membership in Latvia and Georgia. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Hemmings, John (2017) Quasi-alliances, managing the rise of China, and domestic politics: the US-Japan-Australia trilateral 1991-2015. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Meibauer, Gustav (2017) Doing something: neoclassical realism, US foreign policy and the no-fly zone, 1991-2016. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Schäfer, David (2017) Explaining the creation of the EU Banking Union: the interplay between interests and ideas. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Himmrich, Julia (2017) Germany’s recognition of Kosovo as an independent state in 2008. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Shaoulian-Sopher, Efrat (2017) Israeli foreign policy towards Iran 1948-1979: beyond the realist account. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

De Simone, Carolina (2017) Italy and the community of Sant’Egidio in the 1990s. ‘Coopetition’ in post-Cold War Italian foreign policy? PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Nøhr, Andreas Aagaard (2017) Tyrants of truth: a genealogy of hyper-real politics. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Delatolla, Andrew (2017) The state as a standard of civilisation: assembling the modern state in Lebanon and Syria, 1800-1944. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Papagaryfallou, Ioannis (2016) The history/theory dialectic in the thought of Herbert Butterfield, Martin Wight and E. H. Carr: a reconceptualisation of the English School of international relations. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Stroikos, Dimitrios (2016) China, India in space and the orbit of international society: power, status, and order on the high frontier. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Brenner, David (2016) Insurgency as a social process: authority and armed groups in Myanmar’s changing borderlands. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Yao, Yuan (2016) Constructing the ideal river: the 19th century origins of the first international organizations. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Schade, Daniel (2016) The European Union’s Latin America policy: a study of foreign policy change and coordination. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Morita-Jaeger, Minako (2016) Services trade integration in East Asia and political economy impediments in domestic decision-making: a case study of Japan-ASEAN bilateral free trade agreements. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Wang-Kaeding, Heidi (2016) Strategic concepts and interest groups in China’s environmental foreign relations (1984-2015). PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Susler, Bugra (2016) Turkey's foreign policy cooperation with the European Union during the Arab Spring, 2011-13. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Lacatus, Corina (2016) The design of national human rights institutions: global patterns of institutional diffusion and strength. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Hearson, Martin (2016) Bargaining away the tax base: the north-south politics of tax treaty diffusion. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Linsi, Lukas (2016) How the beast became a beauty: the social construction of the economic meaning of foreign direct investment inflows in advanced economies, 1960-2007. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Fotou, Maria (2016) Ethics of hospitality: envisaging the stranger in the contemporary world. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Hoeffken, Jana Ulrike (2016) Competition provisions in EU regional trade agreements: consequences for domestic reform in developing countries. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Jiang, Lu (2016) Beyond ODA: Chinese way of development cooperation with Africa: the case of agriculture. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Procopio, Maddalena (2016) Negotiating governance: Kenyan contestation, cooperation, passivity toward the Chinese. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Andersen, Morten Skumsrud (2016) A genealogy of the balance of power. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

von Weitershausen, Inez (2016) Europe between interests, institutions and ideas: crisis cooperation during the 2011 uprisings in Libya. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Frielingsdorf, Per-Axel (2016) “Machiavelli of Peace”: Dag Hammarskjöld and the political role of the Secretary-General of the United Nations. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Mueller, Benjamin (2015) At cold war’s end: complexity, causes, and counterfactuals. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Guijarro Usobiaga, Borja (2015) European sanctions reconsidered: regime type, strategic bargaining, and the imposition of EU sanctions. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Terry, Jillian (2015) Towards a feminist ethics of war: rethinking moral justifications for contemporary warfare. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Dittrich, Viviane (2015) Present at the completion: creating legacies at the International Criminal Tribunals. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Nair, Deepak (2015) Saving the states’ face: an ethnography of the ASEAN secretariat and diplomatic field in Jakarta. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Koluksuz, Melissa (2015) A critical geopolitics of American “imperialism" and grand strategy (Post-9/11): the role of language and ideology. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

de Merich, Diego (2015) Empathy at the intersections of care: articulating a critical approach to the ethics of international development. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Falkiner, Daniel (2015) The erotics of empire: love, power, and tragedy in Thucydides and Hans Morgenthau. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Bohnenberger-Rich, Simone (2015) China and Kazakhstan: economic hierarchy, dependency and political power? PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Crossley, Noële (2015) Humanitarian intervention: from le droit d'ingérence to the responsibility to protect. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Ussar, Margit (2014) Ethics, aid, and organisational characteristics: are multilateral aid organisations more likely to be driven by ethical considerations than their bilateral counterparts? PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Sibal, Rajeev (2014) Varieties of capitalism and firm performance in emerging markets: an examination of the typological trajectories of India and Brazil. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Basedow, Johann (2014) The European Union’s international investment policy Explaining intensifying Member State cooperation in international investment regulation. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Zheng, Yixiao (2014) Complex interdependence and China’s engagement with Australia: navigating between power and vulnerability. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Ohlers, Curtis (2014) Interstate warfare and the emergence of transnational insurgencies. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Kramer, Reik (2014) Network-centric peace: an application of network theory to violent conflicts. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Anderson, Emily (2014) States of extraction: impacts of taxation on statebuilding in Angola and Mozambique, 1975-2013. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Muravska, Julia (2014) The institutionalisation of the European defence equipment market. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Makarem, Hadi (2014) Actually existing neoliberalism: the reconstruction of downtown Beirut in post-civil war Lebanon. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Flynn, Curran (2014) Hans Morgenthau’s scientific man versus power politics and politics among nations: a comparative analysis. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Pavese, Carolina B. (2014) Level-­linkage in European Union – Brazil relations: an analysis of cooperation on climate change, trade, and human rights. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Yu, Jie (2014) Partnership or partnerships? An assessment of China-EU relations between 2001 and 2013 with cases studies on their collaborations on climate change and renewable energy. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Datzberger, Simone (2014) Peacebuilding and the depoliticisation of civil society: Sierra Leone [2002 – 2013]. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Brodersen, Rupert (2014) Rage, rancour and revenge: existentialist motives in international relations. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Wirajuda, Muhammad (2014) The impact of democratisation on Indonesia’s foreign policy: regional cooperation, promotion of political values, and conflict management. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Schleifer, Philip (2014) Whose rules? The institutional diffusion and variation of private participatory governance. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Klingler-Vidra, Robyn (2014) All politics is local: sources of variance in the diffusion of venture capital policies. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Côté, Christine (2014) A chilling effect? The impact of international investment agreements on national regulatory autonomy in the areas of health, safety and the environment. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Lamprecht, Jens (2014) Bargaining power in multilateral trade negotiations: Canada and Japan in the Uruguay Round and Doha development agenda. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Barber, Laura (2014) Chinese foreign policy in the 'Going Out' era: confronting challenges and 'Adaptive Learning' in the case of China-Sudan and South Sudan Relations. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Izzuddin, Mustafa (2014) Ethnic politics and Malaysia’s China Policy: from Tun Abdul Razak to Abdullah Ahmad Badawi: a neoclassical realist interpretation. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

de Felice, Damiano (2014) Explaining variation in the degree of internalisation of political conditionality: the cases of France and the United Kingdom. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Kersten, Mark (2014) Justice in conflict: the ICC in Libya and Northern Uganda. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Hellmeyer, Monika (2014) The impact of the Central and Eastern European EU member states on the EU’s foreign policy, 2004 to 2013. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Schwarz, Elke (2013) The biopolitical condition: re-thinking the ethics of political violence in life-politics. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Dueben, Bjoern (2013) China-Russia relations after the Cold War: the process of institution-building and its impact on the evolution of bilateral cooperation. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Srnicek, Nick (2013) Representing complexity: the material construction of world politics. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Cheeppensook, Kasira (2013) The development of the ASEAN Charter: origins and norm codification. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Bowen, Andrew (2013) Syrian-American relations, 1973 - 1977: a study of security cooperation in regional conflicts. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Tardelli, Luca (2013) When elites fight: elites and the politics of U.S. military interventions in internal conflicts. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Rahbek-Clemmensen, Jon (2013) Beyond ‘the soldier and the state’ - the theoretical framework of elite civil-military relations. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Voltolini, Benedetta (2013) Lobbying in EU foreign policy-making towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: exploring the potential of a constructivist perspective. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Parakilas, Jacob Christopher (2013) The Mexican drug “war”: an examination into the nature of narcotics linked violence in Mexico, 2006-2012. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Laker, Frederick (2013) Rethinking internal displacement geo-political games, fragile states, & the relief industry. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Zhang, Shuxiu (2013) The dragonomic diplomacy (De)code: a study on the causal relationship between Chinese economic diplomacy preference formation and the influence of multilateral economic regimes. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Verma, Rajneesh (2013) The tiger and the dragon: a neoclassical realist perspective of India and China in the oil industry in West Africa. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Wielopolska, Anna (2013) Causes and consequences of ambivalence in Germany’s policy towards the Eastern enlargement of the European Union. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Palma, Oscar (2013) Transnational networks of insurgency and crime: explaining the spread of the revolutionary armed forces of Colombia beyond national borders. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Kuroki, Maiko (2013) Nationalism in Japan’s contemporary foreign policy: a consideration of the cases of China, North Korea, and India. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Pham, Gia Son (2013) A political economy approach to the impact of the WTO’s accession process on Vietnam’s economic reform: a case of compliance? PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Niemetz, Martin (2013) Promoting a deliberative system for global peace and security: how to reform the United Nations’ decision-making procedures. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Keränen, Outi (2013) Acts of contention: local practices and dynamics of negotiated statebuilding in Bosnia and Herzegovina 1995-2010. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Dombrowski, Kathrin Irma (2013) Bridging the democratic gap: Can NGOs link local communities to international environmental institutions? PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Parks, Bradley (2013) Brokering development policy change: the parallel pursuit of millennium challenge account resources and reform. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Smith, Janel (2013) Civil society, human security, and the politics of peace-building in victor’s peace Sri Lanka (2009-2012). PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Kruesman, Monika (2013) Digging for compliments: Rio Tinto Group, corporate social responsibility and the diffusion of international norms. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

de Heredia, Marta Iñiguez (2013) Everyday resistance in post-conflict statebuilding: the case of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Evangelopoulos, Georgios (2013) Scientific realism in the philosophy of science and international relations. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Pepino, Silvia (2013) Sovereign risk and financial crisis: the international political economy of the Euro area sovereign debt crisis. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Cho, Young (2013) Why do countries implement Basel II? An analysis of the global diffusion of Basel II implementation. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Edwards, Alex (2013) A neoclassical realist analysis of American ‘dual containment’ policy in the Persian Gulf: 1991-2001. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Jillions, Andrew (2012) From faith in rules to the rule of law: constitutional responsibilities in international society. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Orsi, Roberto (2012) Rethinking the concept of order in international politics: Carl Schmitt and Jürgen Habermas. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Markakis, Dionysius (2012) US democracy promotion in the Middle East: the pursuit of hegemony? PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Chung, Chih-tung (2012) The evolution of Taiwan’s grand strategy: from Chiang Kai-shek to Chen Shui-bian. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Fisher, Kathryn (2012) From 20th Century troubles to 21st Century international terrorism: identity, securitization, and British counterterrorism from 1968 to 2011. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Friedman, Rebekka (2012) Hybrid TRCs and national reconciliation in Sierra Leone and Peru. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Varin, Caroline (2012) Mercenaries and the state: how the hybridisation of the armed forces is changing the face of national security. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Bloomfield, Michael (2012) Power, profit, and principles: industry opportunity structures and the political mobilisation of jewellers. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Kirby, Paul (2012) Rethinking War/Rape: feminism, critical explanation and the study of wartime sexual violence, with special reference to the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Petersen, Alexandros (2012) Integration in energy and transport amongst Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Méndez, Álvaro (2012) Negotiating intervention by invitation: how the Colombians shaped US participation in the genesis of Plan Colombia. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

O’Casey, Elizabeth (2012) A theory of need in international political theory: autonomy, freedom, and a global obligation. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Ghulam, Faisal (2012) Accession to the World Trade Organization: factors shaping the case of Saudi Arabia’s accession (1985-2005). PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Förster, Annette (2012) Decent peace, stability and justice: John Rawls’s international theory applied. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Campanaro, Richard (2012) Socio-ecological coevolution: an ecological analysis of the historical development of international systems in the circumpolar Arctic. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Minsat, Arthur (2012) Making EU foreign policy towards a 'Pariah' state: consensus on sanctions in EU foreign policy towards Myanmar. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Kaya, Zeynep (2012) Maps into nations: Kurdistan, Kurdish Nationalism and international society. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Strong, James (2012) More spinn’d against than spinning?: public opinion, political communication, and Britain’s involvement in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Woolfson, Alexander F. (2012) The discourse of exceptionalism and U.S. grand strategy, 1946–2009. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Dalgaard, Klaus (2012) The energy statecraft of Brazil: promoting biofuels as an instrument of Brazilian foreign policy, 2003-2010. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Bennett, Hanna (2012) Leverage and limitations of the EU’s influence in the eastern neighbourhood : a study of compliance with the EU’s justice and home affairs' standards in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Roccu, Roberto (2012) Gramsci in Cairo: neoliberal authoritarianism, passive revolution and failed hegemony in Egypt under Mubarak, 1991-2010. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Castro e Almeida, Manuel (2012) Defective polities: a history of an idea of international society. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Raimundo, Antonio Joaquim (2012) The Europeanisation of national foreign policy: Portuguese foreign policy towards Angola and Mozambique, 1978-2010. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Bird, Annie (2012) US foreign policy on transitional justice: case studies on Cambodia, Liberia and Colombia. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Al Toraifi, Adel (2012) Understanding the role of state identity in foreign policy decision-making: the rise of Saudi-Iranian rapprochement (1997-2009). PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Pagliari, Natali (2012) Why are we running? Political economy of bank runs and an analysis on the 2007-09 banking crisis in the United Kingdom. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Bettiza, Gregorio (2012) The global resurgence of religion and the desecularization of American foreign policy, 1990-2012. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Sabaratnam, Meera (2011) Re-thinking the liberal peace: anti-colonial thought and post-war intervention in Mozambique. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Gani, Jasmine K. (2011) Understanding and explaining US-Syrian relations: conflict and cooperation, and the role of ideology. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Pallaver, Matteo (2011) Power and its forms: hard, soft, smart. MPhil thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Masraff, Naz (2011) Why keep complying?: compliance with EU conditionality under diminished credibility in Turkey. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Dionigi, Filippo (2011) The impact of international norms on Islamist politics: the case of Hezbollah. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Homkes, Rebecca (2011) Analysing the role of public-private partnerships in global governance: institutional dynamics, variation and effects. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Moore, Candice Eleanor (2011) Governing Parties and Southern Internationalism: a neoclassical realist approach to the foreign policies of South Africa and Brazil, 1999-2010. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Topgyal, Tsering (2011) The insecurity dilemma and the Sino-Tibetan conflict. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Alves, Ana Cristina (2011) China’s oil diplomacy: comparing Chinese economic statecraft in Angola and Brazil. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Poulsen, Lauge N. Skovgaard (2011) Sacrificing sovereignty by chance: investment treaties, developing countries, and bounded rationality. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Hoover, Joseph (2011) Reconstructing human rights: a pragmatic and pluralist inquiry in global ethics. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

McFate, Sean (2011) Durable disorder: the return of private armies and the emergence of neomedievalism. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Gayoso Descalzi, Carmen Amelia (2011) Russian hegemony in the CIS region: an examination of Russian influence and of variation in consent and dissent by CIS states to regional hierarchy. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Renouf, Jean S. (2011) Understanding how the identity of international aid agencies and their approaches to security are mutually shaped. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Beaugrand, Claire Beatrix Marie (2010) Statelessness and transnationalism in northern Arabia: biduns and state building in Kuwait, 1959-2009. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Gartzke, Ulf (2010) The Boeing / McDonnell Douglas and EADS mergers: ethnocentric vs. regiocentric consolidation in the aerospace and defence industry and the implications for international relations. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Oskanian, Kevork (2010) Weaving webs of insecurity: fear, weakness and power in the post-Soviet South Caucasus. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Radice, Henry (2010) The politics of humanity: humanitarianism and international political theory. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Reeves, Jeffrey (2010) Mongolian state weakness, foreign policy, and dependency on the People’s Republic of China. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Barnes, Karen (2010) Engendering peace or a gendered peace? The UN and liberal peacebuilding in Sierra Leone, 2002-2007. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Phillips, Christopher (2010) Everyday Arabism: The daily reproduction of nationalism and supranationalism in contemporary Syria and Jordan. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Wann, Joy (2010) Global financial governance and the question of influence: Examining the role private actors play in international financial standardisation. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Matsumoto, Emma (2010) Japan and the UN peace operations in the post-Cold War era: Their challenges and choices. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Pinfari, Marco (2010) Time to agree: time pressure and 'deadline diplomacy' in peace negotiations. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Charnoz, Olivier (2010) The local power effects of a global governance discourse: 'Community participation' in the protection of biodiversity. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Kitchen, Nicholas (2009) American power: for what? ideas, unipolarity and America’s search for purpose between the 'wars', 1991-2001. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Mills, James Robert (2009) The challenge of self-determination and emerging nationalism: the evolution of the international community’s normative responses to state fragmentation. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Bulloch, Douglas (2009) Carl Schmitt: A conceptual exegesis and critique of IR theory. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Zhang, Feng (2009) Chinese primacy in East Asian history: Deconstructing the tribute system in China's early Ming Dynasty. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Ankersen, Christopher (2009) Civil-military cooperation in the Canadian Army. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Henriksen, Rune (2009) Does the West still need warriors? PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Curtis, Simon J (2009) Global cities and the transformation of the international system. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Gocer, Derya (2009) Interaction between the international and the domestic: The case of the 1908 Constitutional Revolution in the Ottoman Empire. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Lennox, Corinne (2009) Mobilising for group-specific norms: Reshaping the international protection regime for minorities. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Bolten, Annika (2009) Pegs, politics and petrification: exchange rate policy in Argentina and Brazil since the 1980s. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Van Criekinge, Tine (2009) Power asymmetry between the European Union and Africa? A case study of the EU's relations with Ghana and Senegal. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Cullen, Patrick Jerome (2009) Private security in international politics: Deconstructing the state's monopoly of security governance. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Pearson, John (2009) Republicanism beyond borders? Preventing domination in the absence of the state. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Barrios, Cristina (2009) Rival universalisms? American and European democracy promotion in post-Cold War international relations. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Hughes, Annika Katherine (2009) World power -- to be taken (f)or granted?: The concept of political power and its significance for an analysis of power in international relations. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Markarian, Tatoul (2009) The dynamics of the domestic-foreign policy relationship in transition studies. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Mahmoud, Yasser Mohamed Elwy Mohamed (2009) A political economy of Egyptian foreign policy: State, ideology, and modernisation since 1970. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Kofmehl, Scott Eric (2009) The second act of victory: U.S. foreign policy and post-conflict state-building. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Vardi, Gil-li (2008) The enigma of German operational theory: the evolution of military thought in Germany, 1919-1938. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Stein, Ewan (2008) Conceptions of Israel and the formation of the Egyptian foreign policy: 1952-1981. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Singh, Rashmi (2008) Conceptualising suicide bombings and rethinking international relations theory: The case of Hamas 1987-2006. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Quinn, Adam (2008) Conquest of spirits: Ideological history as an explanatory factor in the Bush administration's resistance to balance-of-power thinking. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Wright, Christopher (2008) Environmental governance in international banking: exploring the emergence of the Equator Principles. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Stuart, Jill (2008) Exploring the relationship between outer space and world politics: English School and regime theory perspectives. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Berenskotter, Felix Sebastian (2008) From friends to strangers: A theory of interstate security cooperation applied to German-American relations, 1945-1995. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Balfour, Rosa (2008) Human rights and democracy in EU foreign policy: The cases of Ukraine and Egypt. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Mullin-Lery, Corinna (2008) Political Islam and the United States' new "Other": An analysis of the discourse on political Islam (2001-2007). PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Kantz, Carola (2008) Precious stones, black gold and the extractive industries: Accounting for the institutional design of multi-stakeholder initiatives. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Fournier, Philippe (2008) Rationalities of government in contemporary America: A Foucaultian study of domestic and foreign policy (1960-2008). PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Ortmann, Stefanie (2008) Re-imagining Westphalia: Identity in IR and the discursive construction of the Russian state. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Arnold, Matthew Byron (2008) The collaboration problematique: Managing frontiers of insecurity through state building interventionism. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Manea, Simona Florina (2008) A critique of the anthropomorphic conception of the state: The Romanian state as a relational, network and emergent actor. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Chitranukroh, Krirkbhumi (2008) The dynamics of preferential trade agreements and domestic institutions---an alternative route towards Asian regionalism: A case study of Singapore and Thailand's preferential trade agreements. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Kamlani, Deirdre Shay (2008) The four faces of power in sovereign debt restructuring: Explaining bargaining outcomes between debtor states and private creditors since 1870. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Daehnhardt, Patricia (2008) The remaking of identity: The question of normative power in German foreign policy (1997-2007). PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Cui, Shunji (2007) Beyond rivalry?: Sino-Japanese relations and the potential for a ‘security regime’ in Northeast Asia. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Gross, Eva (2007) The Europeanization of foreign policy? The role of the EU CFSP/ESDP in crisis decision-making in Macedonia and Afghanistan. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Kelley, John Robert (2007) From monologue to dialogue?: U.S. public diplomacy in the post-9/11 era. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Tosti, Padideh (2007) Global illicit sectors: An analysis of drugs in international relations. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Teo, Victor E. (2007) Memories and the exigencies of national interest: an analysis of post Cold War Sino-Japanese and Sino-Russian strategic relations and perceptions. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Vinci, Anthony John (2007) Warlords in the international order: a neorealist approach. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Hinds, Kristina (2007) The activism and inclusion of civil society organisations in CARICOM on trade negotiating matters: a look at three cases. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Ainley, Kirsten (2006) Rethinking agency & responsibility in contemporary international political theory. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Partrick, Neil (2006) Kuwait's foreign policy (1961-1977): Non-alignment, ideology and the pursuit of security. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Vlcek, William B. (2006) Small states and the challenge of sovereignty: Commonwealth Caribbean offshore financial centers and tax competition. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Muxagata de Carvalho Vieira, Marco Antonio (2006) Southern Africa's response(s) to international HIV/AIDS norms: The politics of assimilation. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Kissack, Robert Eoghan (2006) Who speaks for Europe in the ILO? Member state coordination and European Union representation in the International Labour Organisation. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Yuzawa, Takeshi (2005) Japan's security policy and the ASEAN Regional Forum: The search for multilateral security in the Asia Pacific. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Moghalu, Kingsley Chiedu (2005) Justice as policy and strategy: A study of the tension between political and juridical responses to violations of international humanitarian law. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Tamura, Kentaro (2005) Preference formation, negotiations and implementation: Japan and the Basle Capital Accord. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Vaquer i Fanes, Jordi (2005) Spanish policy towards Morocco (1986-2002): The impact of EC/EU membership. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Sunayama, Sonoko (2005) Syria and Saudi Arabia, 1978-1990: A study of the role of shared identities in alliance-making. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Fokas, Efterpe (2004) The role of religion in national-EU relations: the cases of Greece and Turkey. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Johnson, Rebecca (2004) The 1996 Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty: a study in post Cold War multilateral arms control negotiations. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Catellani, Nicola (2004) The European Union's northern dimension: A case of foreign policy "by the backdoor"? PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Yordan, Carlos L (2004) Strategic versus communicative approaches to peacemaking: A critical assessment of the Dayton Peace Initiative. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Jayman, Jayantha (2004) A critical understanding of Japan's improved late 20th century relations in Eastern Asia. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Neves, Miguel (2003) Autonomous non-central governments in the international system: the case of Hong Kong. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Donley, Patrick Harrison (2003) Population protection in the 1990s: Managing risk in the new security environment. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Doebler-Hagedorn, Franziska (2003) The state at its borders: Germany and the Schengen negotiations. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Qureshi, Saqib (2002) US Foreign Policy to Pakistan, 1947-1960: Re-constructing strategy. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Isaac, Grant E (2001) Agricultural biotechnology and transatlantic trade: An international political economy analysis of social regulatory barriers. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Correia Marques de Almeida, Joao (2001) Between anarchy and empire: An analysis and reformulation of the concept of international society in the light of the republican political tradition. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Elbe, Stefan Heinz Edward (2001) European nihilism and the meaning of the European idea: A study of Nietzsche's 'good Europeanism' in response to the debate in the post-Cold War era. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Michaels, Kevin Patrick (2001) Opening skies: The political economy of the air cargo industry in the Philippines and Taiwan. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Drossopoulos, Constantinos-John (2001) The politics of monetary integration in the European Community: Theory, practice and prospects. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Hesse, Brian Joseph (2000) Grand aims and modest means: The parallel evolution of US and South African foreign policies towards Africa in the 1990s. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Idowu, Stephen Babatunde (2000) Namibia from colonisation to statehood: The paradoxical relationship between law and power in international society. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Stubb, Alexander (1999) Flexible integration and the Amsterdam Treaty: negotiating differentiation in the 1996-97 IGC. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Viola, Donatella (1999) European foreign policy and the European Parliament in the 1990's. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Crow, Suzanne Marie (1999) Fragmented diplomacy: The impact of Russian governing institutions on foreign policy, 1991-1996. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Styan, David A. (1999) Franco-Iraqi relations and Fifth Republic foreign policy, 1958-1990. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Valde-Ugalde, Jose Luis (1999) Intervening in revolution: The US exercise of power in Guatemala, 1954. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Jacquin-Berdal, Dominique (1999) Nationalism and secession in the Horn of Africa: a critique of the ethnic interpretation. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Osman, Mohamed Awad (1999) The United Nations and peace enforcement with special reference to Kuwait, 1990-91. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Colas Krauter, Alejandro (1999) The expansion of international civil society: The case of Tunisia. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Ebata, Joanne Michi (1999) The transition from war to peace: politics, political space and the peace process industry in Mozambique, 1992-1995. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Keene, Edward (1998) The colonising ethic and modern international society: A reconstruction of the Grotian tradition of international theory. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Brown, Susan (1998) The institutional evolution of the WTO Government Procurement Agreement: towards an understanding of the peripheries of domestic economic policies. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Bettcher, Douglas (1997) A psychoanalytic approach to the study of international relations. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Smith, Karen Elizabeth (1996) The making of foreign policy in the European Community/Union: the case of Eastern Europe, 1988-1995. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

van Walsum-Stachowicz, Judith Margaretha (1995) Corporate diplomacy and European Community information technology policies: The influence of multi-nationals and interest groups, 1980-1993. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Pinheiro, Leticia de Abreu (1995) Foreign policy decision-making under the Geisel government: The president, the military and the foreign ministry. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Khonsari, Mehrdad (1995) The National Movement of the Iranian Resistance 1979-1991: The role of a banned opposition movement in international politics. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Vervain Evans, Carol (1994) Defence industrialisation in the NICs : case studies from Brazil and India. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Taillon, Joseph Paul de Boucherville (1993) International co-operation in the use of elite military forces to counter terrorism: The British and American experience, with special reference to their respective experiences in the evolution of low-intensity operations. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Chife, Aloy Chinedu (1993) The political economy of north-south relations: Japan's relations with Nigeria, 1960-1985. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Rowlands, Ian (1992) International regime formation: the politics of ozone layer depletion and global warming. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Almadhagi, Ahmed Noman Kassim (1992) YAR-US relations 1962-1990: a case study of a superpower-small state relationship. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Joao da Costa Cabral Andresen Guimaraes, Fernando (1992) The origins of the Angolan civil war. International politics and domestic political conflict 1961-1976. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Ming, Dong (1991) The principles and flexibility in China's external relations: The case of Hong Kong. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Bello, Ghaji Ismaila (1990) The international politics of famine relief operations in Ethiopia: A case study of the 1984-86 famine relief operations. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Williams, Marc Andrew (1987) The group of 77 in UNCTAD: anatomy of a Third World coalition. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Suganami, Hidemi (1986) Domestic analogy in proposals for world order, 1814-1945: the transfer of legal and political principles from the domestic to the international sphere in thought on international law and relations. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Linklater, Andrew (1978) Obligations beyond the state: the individual, the state and humanity in international theory. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Recapping 10 of the biggest foreign policy and national security stories of 2020

Subscribe to this week in foreign policy, anna newby an anna newby director of communications and managing editor - foreign policy, the brookings institution.

December 22, 2020

Whether your preferred metaphor is a roller coaster or an outright dumpster fire, the year 2020 has been an outlier, to put it mildly. A few big stories dominated the news cycle, and our lives — the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. election, widespread protests over racial justice issues — while many others carried on in their shadow, sometimes with explosive effects and sometimes with underappreciated ones.

Many people are eager to pack memories from this year onto a funeral pyre and cast it off to sea. Before we do, a quick recap of how the world changed in 2020 can help prepare us for what may come. As always, Brookings foreign policy and national security experts illuminated what this year’s big events meant, as well as what they portend. Both are of utmost importance as new leadership prepares to take the reins in Washington, with the world watching.

Suzanne Maloney argued in the Washington Post that the Trump administration “escalated simmering tensions with Tehran from an economic onslaught to an act of war.” While the killing was “likely to instigate a dangerous and unpredictable Iranian backlash,” she cautioned, “Iranian leaders are well-practiced at calibrating retaliation around their real interests, which ultimately concern the survival of their regime.” Other experts highlighted Soleimani’s gruesome track record, the potential for region-wide blowback, Saudi Arabia’s reaction, and more.

John R. Allen expressed skepticism, writing: “The Taliban are untrustworthy; their doctrine is irreconcilable with modernity and the rights of women; and in practice, they’re incapable of summoning the necessary internal controls and organizational discipline needed to implement a far-flung agreement like this. The so-called ‘Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan’ will not only not be honored by the Taliban, it will also not bring peace.” Other experts worried about the lack of input from Afghanistan’s government, identified possible reasons for cautious optimism, outlined key battlefield dynamics, and analyzed the prospects for lasting peace.

After the virus originated in China, experts studied Beijing’s “ mask diplomacy ,” and stressed the dangers posed by the inability of the United States and China to coordinate. In Europe, Italy was hardest hit at first, Germany quickly applied strict lockdown measures, and the United Kingdom largely bungled its early response. In East Asia, the pandemic had dire effects on Japan’s economy and others, and North and South Korea took starkly different approaches. In Southeast Asia , the pandemic intersected with the U.S.-China rivalry. In the Middle East, where Iran was an early epicenter, experts analyzed risks of public unrest and economic instability; in Pakistan , religious conservatives played a key role. Latin America would become a hotspot later, with Mexico adopting a “feeble” response. Across Africa, the economic impacts of COVID-19 may largely outlast the health impacts, as experts discussed .

Reopening America and the World

“When it comes to the use of economic engagement as a diplomatic tool, Japan — not the United States — is China’s peer competitor,” wrote Mireya Solís in Foreign Affairs in the wake of Abe’s sudden resignation. She went on: “It might be tempting to yet again dismiss Japan’s potential. But the country’s strategic choices are by no means foreordained, and they will affect not only its own future but also the course of the raging great-power competition now playing out between China and the United States.”

Listen to Solís discuss Japan’s leadership transition:

Before the vote, Thomas Wright contended that the election put “the fundamental principles of U.S. leadership to the test” and detailed the stakes, having studied both Trump’s and Biden’s foreign policy approaches. Via Brookings’s Policy 2020 initiative, experts provided answers to common voter questions, such as: What is the Trump administration’s track record on the environment ? Who are America’s allies and are they paying their fair share of defense? Is U.S. defense spending too high or too low? And scholars from across Brookings Foreign Policy listed concrete, meaningful policy actions the next president should take, regardless of the election outcome.

As Peter Petri and Michael Plummer estimated , “RCEP will connect about 30% of the world’s people and output, [and] could add $209 billion annually to world incomes, and $500 billion to world trade by 2030.” The United States, meanwhile, remains outside this economically and geopolitically significant agreement

Figure: Members of RCEP and CPTPP (Numbers present 2018 GDP in trillions of U.S. dollars)

Instead, as Ryan Hass and Abraham Denmark highlighted , the United States has experienced “more pain than gain” in its trade war with China: “The ultimate results of the phase one trade deal between China and the United States — and the trade war that preceded it — have significantly hurt the American economy without solving the underlying economic concerns that the trade war was meant to resolve.” Separately, David Dollar dove deep into the economic challenges China faces as it continues to rise.

Finally, since most of us will remain largely stuck inside for at least a few more months, check out Brookings Foreign Policy’s recommendations for books to read (with many more excellent finds coming next year), as well as movies and TV shows to watch . Stay safe out there, and see you in 2021.

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Home > SBS > POLSCI > Political Science Department Masters Theses Collection

Political Science Department Masters Theses Collection

Theses from 2021 2021.

Responsiveness, Representation, and Democracy: A Critical Conceptual Analysis and its Implications for Political Science , Joshua Beck, Political Science

Post-Conflict Recovery or Conflict Recurrence: A Comparative Analysis of Economics, Colonial Histories, and Natural Resource Mining in Burkina Faso and Togo , Izabela Frechette, Political Science

Theses from 2020 2020

Designing Surveys on Youth Immigration Reform: Lessons from the 2016 CCES Anomaly , Saige Calkins, Political Science

Becoming Quasi-Colonial Political Subjects: Garveyism and Labor Organizing in the Tennessee Valley (1921-1945) , Ashley Everson, Political Science

Footing The Bill: an Empirical Look at the Correlation Between Campaign Contributions and Councilor Votes on Split Tax Rates in Massachusetts , Tristan LaLiberte, Political Science

Theses from 2019 2019

Playing by the Rules: A Look into the Relationship between Regime Type and War Crimes , Kelsey Anderson, Political Science

Theses from 2018 2018

Alien Nation , Adam Hoole, Political Science

Theses from 2017 2017

Bailed Out With A Little Help From My Friends: Social Similarity And Currency Swaps During The 2008 Crisis , Timothy Marple, Political Science

Theses from 2016 2016

Assessing the Effects of Heuristic Perceptions on Voter Turnout , Amanda Aziz, Political Science

Theses from 2006 2006

Education in belief system coherency and ideological constraint in Massachusetts. , David Ciuk, Political Science

Sex, wealth, and power : audience and the real Orange County. , Elizabeth K. Krieg, Political Science

Theses from 2003 2003

The impact of national identity in Scotland on devolution. , Jörg-Nicolas Rödger, Political Science

Theses from 2002 2002

A comparative study of the democratization process in Kenya, Malawi and Zambia during the 1990s. , Tilo E. Stolz, Political Science

Russian transformative state capacity : a comparative study of corporate law reform. , Walter P. Thörner, Political Science

The politics of being a citizen : women and citizenship in Rio de Janeiro. , Joanna S. Wheeler, Political Science

Theses from 2001 2001

The German influence on the life and thought of W.E.B. DuBois. , Michaela C. Orizu, Political Science

Theses from 2000 2000

Identity politics and nationalism in the post-Cold War era : a critical approach to understanding mutual hostilities. , Michael R. Kisielewski, Political Science

Theses from 1999 1999

Politics and the popular culture : an examination of the relationship between politics and film and music. , Patrick J. Knightly, Political Science

The United Nations' success in resolving disputes in the post Cold War era. , Kavita Shukla, Political Science

Theses from 1997 1997

Limiting one's policy choices through a currency board : a rewarding shock therapy approach for Estonia? , Ralf W. Boepple, Political Science

Globalization or regionalization : financial flows and business practices in Central Europe and Latin America. , Daniel Arthur Carter, Political Science

Racial integration policy : finding solutions. , Mario M. S. Martins, Political Science

The acceptance of international regimes by Third World countries : China's and Taiwan's compliance with the intellectual property rights regime. , Yueh-Ching Ma, Political Science

The right-wing agenda : how the communications staff impacted the successes and failures of the Reagan administration. , Scott F. Merzbach, Political Science

Theses from 1996 1996

Reorganization of the executive branch of the government of Puerto Rico : theoretical foundations and legitimacy of the administrative state. , Mario Acosta-Velez, Political Science

Contemporary civil-military relations in Brazil and Argentina : bargaining for political reality. , Carlos P. Baía, Political Science

War on-land versus war on-line : how technologies of war affect gender in the military. , Kelly K. Boyce, Political Science

Africa or America : race, culture, and politics in Afrocentric thought. , Brett V. Gadsden, Political Science

Reading personal legal narrative : deconstruction, jurisprudence, & textual politics. , Elizabeth A. Myrick, Political Science

The other nationalists : Marcus Garvey and Pedro Albizu Campos. , Charles R. Venator Santiago, Political Science

Theses from 1995 1995

India : a secular democracy on the decline? , Aradhana Das, Political Science

Internal determinants of foreign policy domestic politics and foreign policy in the Soviet Union and the United States, 1945-1948. , Kornel B. Dura, Political Science

Freedom of expression in the U.S. and Japan : a comparative study of the regulation of obscene materials. , Yuko Watanabe, Political Science

Theses from 1994 1994

A Two-Level Games Analysis of the Agricultural Trade Negotiations Between the United States and the European Community in the Uruguay Round , Byung-hwa Chung, Political Science

Foreign lobbying in Washington, D.C. , Gerd Foehrenbach, Political Science

Neither deathsquads nor democrats : explaining the behavior of the Salvadoran military. , Stett D. Holbrook, Political Science

Institutional structure and sustainable development : the influence of non-governmental organizations on the environmental policy of UNEP and the World Bank. , Ortrud Elisabeth Kamps, Political Science

Theses from 1993 1993

Fostering democracy in eastern Europe. , Andreas Staab, Political Science

Theses from 1992 1992

Benazir Bhutto : her political struggle in Pakistan. , Kimie Sekine, Political Science

Theses from 1991 1991

An engaged aesthetic : Aids activism through cultural practice. , Jennifer Kates, Political Science

Maintaining a Machiavellian perspective. , Marco F. Monoc, Political Science

The Czechoslovakian reaction to perestroika : an examination of political and economic change in Czechoslovakia from 1985 to 1990. , Edward J. Valla, Political Science

Theses from 1990 1990

A study of the pariah in Hannah Arendt's theory of action. , Tobi B. Elkin, Political Science

U.S. foreign policy and Israeli nuclear weapons, 1957-1982. , John L. Galligan, Political Science

The Soviet Union and eastern Europe : considerations in a political transformation of the Soviet bloc. , Dag Wincens Noren, Political Science

Theses from 1989 1989

The United States security policy in the tripolar nuclear power system : how China's attainment of mutual assured destruction (MAD) capability would affect the U.S. security policy. , Maki Tagaya, Political Science

Theses from 1988 1988

Religion, secularization and politics : the case of the Federal Republic of Germany. , Bernhard Boll, Political Science

The role of the meda in international affairs : an analysis of the media's role in relations between West Germany and Israel. , Lila B. Orbach, Political Science

Theses from 1987 1987

Polwar, the politicization of military forces : history, theory and practice. , Pascal Ronald Politano, Political Science

European political cooperation at the United Nations General Assembly in the 1980's. , Klaus-Dieter Stadler, Political Science

Theses from 1986 1986

The place of the philosopher. , Jeffrey B. Diamond, Political Science

Theses from 1985 1985

The law and policy of control : presidential papers and school library books. , Pamela R. McKay, Political Science

Politics and pleasures : sexual controversies in the women's and lesbian/gay liberation movements. , Lisa J. Orlando, Political Science

Theses from 1984 1984

The elite status of think tank directors : corporate liberals versus the New Right. , Beata Panagopoulos, Political Science

Theses from 1982 1982

Definitions of political power: a case study. , Thomas F. Gilmartin, Political Science

Theses from 1981 1981

The Joint Chiefs of Staff and National Security Policy, 1945 to 1950 : The Joint Chiefs of Staff's perception of the external threat. , Mikael Sondergaard, Political Science

Implementation: policy becomes reality. , Walter K. Steiner, Political Science

Theses from 1980 1980

The aesthetic community : the social and political thought of Paul Goodman. , Willard Francis Petry, Political Science

Theses from 1979 1979

Ethos maintenance in Peruvian politics. , Michael D. Altfillisch, Political Science

Lenin: the party, revolution and politics. , William Francis Leahy, Political Science

Eurocommunism, Spain, and the views of Santiago Carrillo. , Joseph Anthony Nicastro, Political Science

Theses from 1978 1978

Indo-Pakistan relations (1972-1977) , Baderunissa Channah, Political Science

Army rule in Pakistan : a case study of a military regime. , Marguerite Maude Riley, Political Science

Theses from 1977 1977

The political posture of the Roman Catholic Church in Latin America with specific reference to Colombia and Chile. , Ronnie Glantz Harrington, Political Science

Continuity vs. change in Southern Africa : the reality of legal reform and social change in Portuguese speaking Africa, (1950-early 1960's) , Betty J. Shaw, Political Science

The Massachusetts generic drug law : a history, 1967-1976. , James A. Smith, Political Science

Theses from 1976 1976

A systems analysis of cooperative federalism : the disability insurance program as a case study. , David Carl Baker, Political Science

The external setting of contemporary Japanese foreign policy. , Douglas Clarke Durham, Political Science

The Yippies.: an inquiry into the concept of cultural revolution. , Joseph R. Porcari, Political Science

Theses from 1975 1975

Urban renewal and the Springfield Health Department : effect of a federal program on a local unit of government. , Max Garber, Political Science

The 1966 Maryland gubernatorial election : the political saliency of open occupancy. , Michael S. Hatfield, Political Science

Critical movements in American politics: the vote for George Wallace in 1968. , Walter S. Jonas, Political Science

The Office for Children.: administrative advocacy. , Paul Joseph Sherry, Political Science

Theses from 1974 1974

The concept of modernization and development in Marx's, Lenin's and Marxist-Leninist thought. , Barry Blufer, Political Science

Fascism in western Europe in the inter-war period : historical and comparative perspectives. , Elaine Marie Brady, Political Science

Amin: his seizure and rule in Uganda. , James Francis Hanlon, Political Science

The politics of education : a case study of personnel policy making. , Marilee Hartley, Political Science

Manpower programs : government's response to the occupational needs of the poor. , Philip D. Lerner, Political Science

Namibia : the trust territory. , Olugbemi Moloye, Political Science

National Convention Reform: revision of delegate selection procedures in the Democratic Party 1968-1972. , Joseph J. Nogueira, Political Science

Anarchist social science : its origins and development. , Rochelle Ann Potak, Political Science

John Foster Dulles : pragmatist or moralist. , Harry Park Tolles, Political Science

Theses from 1973 1973

The public-private dichotomy : two contemporary case studies. , Timothy W. Armour, Political Science

Student movement, political development and modernisation in India. , Rita Braz, Political Science

Political development, the People's Party of Pakistan and the elections of 1970. , Meenakshi Gopinath, Political Science

NASA's patent policies and the problem of technology transfer. , Philip Joseph Lang, Political Science

A model for rational decision-making in administration of mental retardation services. , Ellsworth Alden Pearl, Political Science

The emergence of Bangla Desh. , Bannu A. Shrikhande, Political Science

Theses from 1972 1972

The evolution of the Yugoslav policy of nonalignment. , Donald S. Connors, Political Science

The Massachusetts Racial Imbalance Act : the administration of public policy at the state and local levels. , Barbara Garde Garvey, Political Science

The Supreme Court, freedom of expression, and the law of libel. , James J. Magee, Political Science

Theses from 1970 1970

Four European neutrals and European integration. , George C. Grosscup, Political Science

Theses from 1965 1965

The United States Congress conference committee system and reciprocal trade legislation, 1951-1962. , Ernest A. Chaples, Political Science

Theses from 1961 1961

Political ideas of Harold J. Laski. , Yŏng-jun Kim, Political Science

Some political novels of the New Industrial Age, 1873-1915. , Roger P. Leemhuis, Political Science

Theses from 1960 1960

A case history in zoning: the Holyoke, Massachusetts experience. , Michael P. Curran, Political Science

The British Labour Party and the reform of the House of Lords, 1918 to date. , Yousan Wang, Political Science

Theses from 1941 1941

The United States and the world court. , Eleanor B. Julian, Political Science

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Foreign Policy Research Paper Topics for Successful Writing

Note: Only 'PhD' academic level option is available for Dissertation

27 Jan 2020

Writing a research paper about the foreign policy of your or any other country may seem rocket science at first: it requires a profound knowledge of the current geopolitical situation, as well as such sciences as sociology, geography, economy, and even psychology. Each and every decision in international relations is made after thorough calculations and analysis. Nothing is done randomly… or at least shouldn’t be.

foreign policy topics research paper

International relations usually deal with politics, economy, law, energy and many other aspects of a country’s foreign policy, so you have a million and one topic options for your essay or thesis. The only limitation here is your time resource and deadline that must be taken into account when choosing the idea for your research paper. The topic you decide on must address some specific issues and add some new dimension to the already available academic literature. If necessary, your professor or tutor may help you come up with a winning idea or even assign one. Make sure that the subject you choose to explore has enough offline or online materials, for example, news platforms and peer-reviewed journals. This will not only provide you a reasonable basis for research but also help to defend your paper with credible sources.

Those who are struggling to select the final topic can take advantage of the list below. Our college essay writing service experts have collected different types of foreign policy topics to help start a research paper. Actually, they can do the same exclusively for you. Moreover, they can craft an entire piece according to your requirements.

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Easy Foreign Policy Research Paper Topics for All Occasions

To choose the easy and hot research paper topic about foreign policy, try checking the media first. Scroll the news, read the newspapers. Of course, not all journalists are experts in the international relations field; however, many of them are definitely aware of the latest events across the globe. Besides, when writing an article, they usually ask respected experts for comments on the situation, and these comments might serve as handy sources of information or data for your work. Here, we have gathered some simple yet relevant topics. Hopefully, they will give you some insights you could use for your outstanding foreign policy essay.

  • Foreign policy and the role of media and propaganda in it.
  • Should underdeveloped and developing countries rely solely on foreign direct investments to develop their infrastructure?
  • Why does the United Nations Organization fail to manage peace in the world?
  • Will the idea of global democracy be ever possible to implement?
  • How can terrorism spoil the international relations between two states sharing boundaries?
  • Has the Cold War ever stopped?
  • How does the age of globalization influence foreign policy of developing and developed countries?
  • How do cultural norms affect foreign policy in different countries?
  • Is the influence of non-state actors on the global arena changing?
  • What are the key elements in foreign economic policies that impact the citizen of the state?

Most Popular US Foreign Policy Topics for a Research Paper in 2020

USA’s conduct of foreign policy proves that the country addresses the dual realities of modern opportunities and threats in a world that becomes much more interdependent and where technology surpasses the traditional understanding of security and borders. In your research paper, don’t try to cover every possible aspect of US relations with other countries. Focus on a single issue, event, state or theory and present it as detailed as you can. Feel free to check our list of American foreign policy research paper topics that will work great for your academic writing.

  • Should America remain a member of the United Nations?
  • The US in the global arena: shift from unipolar to multipolar world.
  • Role of America’s foreign policy in promoting sustainable development.
  • Does US foreign policy need radical changes?
  • United States foreign policy in the Middle East.

Argumentative Canadian Foreign Policy Essay Topics

Current Canadian foreign policy has been primarily shaped by close dependence and integration with the United States. However, global trends and events, as well as the Trump administration’s confrontational protectionism, have disrupted the country’s assumptions and position. Therefore, if Canada needs a policy review can become a compelling topic for your research paper. Below you will find some other controversial ideas for study worth thinking about.

  • Is Canadian foreign policy aligned with the interests of the country?
  • Should Canada change the amount of its foreign aid spending?
  • What are the prospects for Canada-USA relations?
  • Does Canada need to rethink its foreign policy towards China?
  • What is Canada’s position on the US President Donald Trump’s impeachment?

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  1. 25 Foreign Policy Research Paper Topics

    25 Foreign Policy Topics for a Successful Paper. Foreign policy and the role of propaganda in it. Foreign policy of Japan. Foreign policy of People's Republic of Korea. Foreign policy in the age of globalization. Colonisation and the relations between former colonies and metropoly. Weapons of mass destruction as instrument of foreign policy.

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    Topics. The Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) examines research topics surrounding global studies, international relations, & foreign policy issues.

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    Political Science Dissertation Topics. Our list of political science dissertation topics will provide you with a solid foundation for developing a unique research proposal and making a significant contribution to the field: The role of political ideologies in foreign policy and international relations.

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  6. PDF Implementing U.s. Foreign Policy: a Framework for Applying American

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  9. Comparative Foreign Policy Analysis

    Comparative foreign policy analysis (CFP) is a vibrant and dynamic subfield of international relations. ... For much of the 20th century, the traditional "conformity thesis" held that dissident voices in groups tend to yield to the majority position even when it is incorrect (Allen, 1965; Sherif, 1935; Maass & Clark, 1984; Milgram, 1963).

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    Abstract. Comparative foreign policy analysis (CFP) is a vibrant and dynamic subfield of international relations. It examines foreign policy decision-making processes related to momentous events as well as patterns in day-to-day foreign interactions of nearly 200 different states (along with thousands of international and nongovernmental ...

  12. US Foreign Policy Dissertation Topics

    List of US Foreign Policy Topics for Dissertation. Public opinion and American foreign policy. The diplomacy of ideas: US foreign policy and cultural relations, 1938-1950. Public opinion and public policy, 1980-1993. Terrorism and US foreign policy. Foreign policy topic of a talk by church.

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    Foreign-policy analysts are now shifting their focus to the return of great-power politics, as countries like China and Russia flex their muscles. Both the old consensus positions and the new emphasis on the return of great-power politics suffer from not taking political economy seriously enough. A political-economy approach holds that ...

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    August 11, 2020 12:00 am (EST) My core views on U.S.-China relations can epigrammatically be summarized in nine single sentences: Yanzhong Huang. Joshua Kurlantzick. China seeks to replace the ...

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    Viola, Donatella (1999) European foreign policy and the European Parliament in the 1990's. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science. Crow, Suzanne Marie (1999) Fragmented diplomacy: The impact of Russian governing institutions on foreign policy, 1991-1996. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

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    Quantity. Pages Words. Deadline. Approx. price. $6. Proceed to order. 27 Jan 2020. Writing a research paper about the foreign policy of your or any other country may seem rocket science at first: it requires a profound knowledge of the current geopolitical situation, as well as such sciences as sociology, geography, economy, and even psychology.

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    Canadian Foreign Policy Journal ( CFPJ) is a fully peer-reviewed interdisciplinary journal published three times a year by the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs (NPSIA) at Carleton University, in Ottawa, Canada.Established in 1992, CFPJ is now Canada's leading journal of international affairs. We welcome submissions on: trade and international economic policies