The United States is often described as the only superpower in the post-Cold War world. Prof. Hensel's lectures have dealt with the general nature of foreign policy in international relations. One thing he has not covered much, though, is the way that foreign policy goals can differ for different types of countries. Kegley and Wittkopf discuss a number of patterns and trends in violent conflict and preparation for war. Class lectures and the textbook have covered a number of factors thought to have caused war in the past.
International organizations play an important role in international relations.
The international organization with the broadest current authority, the United Nations, has been attacked by some U.S. politicians for allegedly surrendering control over U.S. funds and military forces to a foreign authority that may not have U.S. interest in mind. The lectures and textbook have presented several schools of economic thought, including economic liberalism and mercantilism. Hegemonic stability theory predicts less conflict in the international system in the presence of a strong hegemon that promotes liberal economic institutions and provides military security to smaller states. Hegemonic stability theory also predicts greater international conflict when the hegemonic leader declines. Some scholars and policy makers have argued that the US is declining relative to its rivals, especially in economic terms.