International relations

Get a first look at the US-China rivalry, initially through American eyes. Learn from a description of American influence at its zenith, understand how it dwindled and consider the global cost of that decline. You will analyse American policy towards its autocratic adversaries and discover what a second Trump presidency means for the country's global influence.

This module looks at the world, and especially America, from China’s perspective. Explore what led Chinese leaders to challenge American pre-eminence. After assessing the underlying sources of Chinese strength—military, commercial and technological—you will understand whether China really can supplant America as the world’s hegemonic power.

To what extent is the US-China rivalry also a competition for technological dominance? After examining how pervasive technology is, both in economic and defence matters, you will compare and contrast American and Chinese approaches to innovation. Finally, assess the possible consequences of two “techno-spheres” emerging, one American and one Chinese.

The US-China rivalry constrains the options of geopolitical actors that have resisted choosing sides, such as the European Union, as well as countries that have picked a side, including Japan and Russia. This module also explores how Russia’s aggression is creating foreign-policy dilemmas for both America and China, and concludes by describing challenges that affect all countries: climate change, demography and pandemics.

Globalisation is the force that pulls people together—and sometimes drives them apart. In this final module, explore the recent history of globalisation, from its golden age in the 1990s, through “slowbalisation” in more recent years and on into the age of covid-19, Western sanctions on Russia and the second Trump presidency. We end by examining whether globalisation is in retreat, leaving great powers freer to carve up the world to their advantage.