Politics and international relations

Why should we obey the law? Why don’t democratic countries go to war with each other? Why don’t young people vote? Why do oil-rich countries have worse human rights records? These are the kinds of questions addressed in our BA Politics course, which provides a thorough training in all major areas of political science, and is based in the top politics department in the country.

In a liberal society, can limitations on freedom of speech ever be justified? Do people pull together because they want to, or because they have to? Political, economic and social issues dominate domestic and international news, impacting on our day-to-day lives as well as shaping the future.

The challenges facing today’s world are profoundly international. From the migrant crisis to global warming, contemporary challenges require graduates who bring a global perspective and broad skills to the workplace.

Many questions in politics can increasingly be addressed only when taking into account their international dimension. Who decides on the conditions of trade among nations? What role does international cooperation play for preparing for pandemic disease? How does economic globalisation affect the domestic welfare state? What is its role in the rise of populism? Our BA Global Politics is designed to answer these and other questions that lie at the intersection of domestic politics and global issues.

Why do international conflicts arise? Why are other parts of the world largely peaceful? What is the role of the United Nations and other international organisations? What is globalisation and how does it impact our daily lives? What are the prospects for international cooperation in addressing problems like global warming and environmental degradation? Based in the top politics department in the country, this course should interest you if you want to understand how the international system works, how decisions are made and how lines are drawn.

What will the world look like by 2025? How can we make the world economy more resilient? What role do NGOs play in the developing world? How can conflict be prevented? Explore the economic, social, and political processes of change in the developing world.