Foreign Policies of Great, Middle, and Small Powers from Coursera

Welcome to the Foreign Policies of Great, Middle, and Small Powers course! This course acquaints you with how power matters in the conduct of international relations and how it influences the strategies and tactics of a nation-state in dealing with other nation-states. It demonstrates the link between a country’s ranking in the international system and the means and methods it adopts to deal with the rest of the world. The course begins with introducing a few concepts on what constitutes power in world affairs, how it is calculated, and how the international power configuration changes over time. You will also learn about what foreign policy means and what its constituent elements, strategies, or activities are. Then, the course delves deeper into the case studies of two contemporary great powers, two contemporary middle powers, and two contemporary small powers. These empirical case studies raise your awareness about current developments and trends in foreign relations from different regions of the world. Lastly, the examples of foreign policy approaches and decisions of nation-states, based on world news events of recent times, help you figure out the essence of world politics as it is being practiced in present times, and prepares you to anticipate the future international orders to come.

Once you complete your FGMS (Foreign Powers Great Middle and Small) certification, you have the option to continue your studies by enrolling in the MAIRSS (Masters in International Relations and Strategic Studies) degree program. The credits you've earned from the FGMS certification will be transferred into the MAIRSS degree program. To complete the MAIRSS degree requirement, you only need to finish a staff-graded assessment, which is the final requirement to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in the field.

What's inside

Syllabus

In this module, you will get acquainted with Africa’s most populous and consequential power, Nigeria, which shares the mantle of continental leadership with South Africa. The module discusses Nigeria’s rise from a sub-regional power in West Africa to a pan-African power with abilities to also speak as a voice for the Global South. You will evaluate the mechanisms and methods Nigeria adopted since independence to assert its international influence and the obstacles posed to its rise by domestic challenges and the neo-colonial presence of France in West Africa. The role of oil wealth, the problem of political instability, and violent extremism will all help bring into focus the centrality of Nigeria and its unfulfilled potential as a middle power heralding an African renaissance.

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Examines the foreign policies of the United States and China, which are essential for understanding contemporary global power dynamics and international relations theory

Explores the foreign policy strategies of middle powers like India and Nigeria, offering insights into regional influence and the challenges of balancing domestic and international objectives

Analyzes the foreign policies of small powers such as North Korea and Qatar, which highlights the diverse strategies employed by nations to navigate international relations

Introduces core concepts such as international power configuration and international order, which are fundamental for understanding the behavior of nation-states

Requires completion of a staff-graded assessment to demonstrate knowledge and skills, which may require additional time and effort beyond the course modules

Offers credit transfer to a Master's program, which may be useful for learners seeking advanced studies in international relations and strategic studies

Reviews summary

Analyzing foreign policy across power levels

According to learners, this course offers a comprehensive and well-structured exploration of how a nation's power status influences its foreign policy. Students found the case studies particularly insightful, providing practical application of the theoretical concepts introduced. While the readings are substantial, they are considered essential for understanding the nuances. The course is seen as a strong foundation for further study in international relations, especially for those interested in the MAIRSS degree pathway.

Required readings are extensive.

"Be prepared for a lot of reading! The supplementary materials are extensive but necessary for deeper understanding."

"While the lectures are good, you really need to dedicate time to the readings to grasp the complexity of the topics."

"The amount of reading required is quite high, but it complements the video lectures well."

"Some weeks had very heavy reading lists, which can be challenging if you're balancing other commitments."

Excellent preparation for MAIRSS.

"Knowing that the credits transfer to the MAIRSS program was a big plus, and I feel well-prepared after taking this course."

"This certification course serves as an ideal entry point for the Master's program."

"It definitely gives you a taste of graduate-level study in international relations."

"The academic rigor seems aligned with expectations for a Master's degree."

Content reflects current events.

"The course connects well with current global events and discussions in international relations."

"I liked that the examples used in lectures and readings felt very relevant to today's world politics."

"Discussing recent events in the context of great, middle, and small power foreign policy makes the learning feel very current."

"It provides a framework to understand ongoing international developments."

Provides a solid theoretical base.

"The initial modules clearly explained what constitutes power and how foreign policy is formulated, which was crucial for the rest of the course."

"I appreciated the systematic breakdown of power calculation and international order before diving into specific countries."

"The course lays a very strong theoretical groundwork before moving onto the empirical examples."

"Understanding the link between power and policy is fundamental, and this course teaches it well."

Case studies offer practical examples.

"The case studies on the USA, China, and India were particularly illuminating, showing how theoretical concepts play out in real-world foreign policy decisions."

"I found the modules on small powers like North Korea and Qatar fascinating – it really highlighted how power dynamics shift strategies."

"Learning about Nigeria's foreign policy evolution provided a unique perspective often missing in other courses."

"Applying the concepts to real-world examples through the case studies helped solidify my understanding significantly."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Foreign Policies of Great, Middle, and Small Powers with these activities:

Review Key Concepts of International Relations

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Reinforce foundational knowledge of international relations concepts to better understand the course material.

Browse courses on International Relations

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Review definitions of key terms like 'power,' 'foreign policy,' and 'international order.'
Summarize different types of power (hard, soft, smart) and their application in foreign policy.
Outline the main theories of international relations (realism, liberalism, constructivism).

Review 'World Order' by Henry Kissinger

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Gain a deeper understanding of the historical context and theoretical underpinnings of world order.

View Leadership on Amazon

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Read the introduction and chapters focusing on the European and American concepts of order.
Summarize Kissinger's analysis of the balance of power and its impact on international relations.
Reflect on how Kissinger's insights apply to the current international landscape.

Analyze a Current Event Through a Foreign Policy Lens

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Apply course concepts to a real-world scenario to deepen understanding of foreign policy decision-making.

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Select a recent international news event involving at least two countries.
Identify the key actors, their interests, and the power dynamics at play.
Analyze the foreign policy strategies employed by each actor.
Write a short essay (500-750 words) summarizing your analysis.

Four other activities

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Debate Foreign Policy Strategies

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Engage in critical discussion and debate to refine understanding of different foreign policy approaches.

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Form a study group with 2-3 other students.
Choose a specific foreign policy issue (e.g., nuclear proliferation, climate change, trade wars).
Assign each student a different country and have them research that country's policy on the issue.
Hold a debate where each student argues for their assigned country's policy.

Review 'Destined for War: Can America and China Escape Thucydides's Trap?' by Graham Allison

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Explore the dynamics of great power competition and the potential for conflict.

View Destined for War on Amazon

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Read the introduction and chapters focusing on the Thucydides Trap and the case studies of past power transitions.
Summarize Allison's argument about the likelihood of conflict between the US and China.
Evaluate the strategies Allison proposes for avoiding war.

Research and Present on a Middle Power's Foreign Policy

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Conduct in-depth research on a middle power not covered in the course to expand knowledge and analytical skills.

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Choose a middle power (e.g., Brazil, Indonesia, Turkey).
Research the country's history, political system, economy, and military capabilities.
Analyze the country's foreign policy goals, strategies, and relationships with other countries.
Prepare a presentation (15-20 minutes) summarizing your findings.

Create a Foreign Policy Resource Guide

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Compile a comprehensive list of resources for further study of foreign policy.

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Gather links to relevant websites, think tanks, academic journals, and government publications.
Curate a list of recommended books and articles on foreign policy theory and practice.
Organize the resources by topic (e.g., great power competition, international organizations, regional conflicts).
Write a brief description of each resource and its relevance to the course.

Career center

Learners who complete Foreign Policies of Great, Middle, and Small Powers will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Diplomat

A diplomat represents their country's interests and engages in negotiations with other nations. This course, focused on the foreign policies of different power levels, helps build an understanding of the strategies and motivations behind international relations. Understanding how great, middle, and small powers operate is essential for a diplomat to effectively navigate complex international scenarios and pursue their nation's objectives. The case studies within the course will enable a diplomat to better understand various global perspectives and anticipate the actions of other nation-states. Furthermore, the course provides a strong context for the role of power dynamics in international relations.

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International Relations Specialist

An international relations specialist analyzes global issues and advises organizations on how to navigate them. This course directly relates to the work of an international relations specialist by exploring the foreign policies of great, middle, and small powers in detail. Studying how international power configurations change over time and understanding the various strategies nations employ is critical for this role. By examining case studies and current events, the course provides a strong foundation for someone seeking to comprehend the complexities of international relations. The study of various types of powers would prove useful to an international relations specialist.

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Foreign Policy Analyst

A foreign policy analyst researches and assesses the international actions of governments and other organizations. This course provides a strong foundation for this field by examining the factors that shape a nation's foreign policy decisions. Understanding how power, national interest, and international dynamics influence decision-making is crucial for a foreign policy analyst. The course's case studies on great, middle, and small powers, as well as its analysis of power dynamics, helps one analyze the foreign policy of different nations. This course is particularly helpful for someone who wishes to evaluate the strategies of nation-states.

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Geopolitical Analyst

A geopolitical analyst examines the impact of geography and politics on international relations. This course may be useful to a geopolitical analyst, as a strong understanding of power dynamics and foreign policy is important. The course’s case studies of great, middle and small powers can enable deeper analysis of the actions of nation-states as they relate to geography and political goals. The course provides context for interpreting international dynamics. An aspiring geopolitical analyst may find value from this course.

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Intelligence Analyst

An intelligence analyst gathers and evaluates information about international issues and security threats. This course, by explaining how power shapes foreign policy, directly benefits the work of an intelligence analyst. The course content, notably the analysis of how great powers, middle powers, and small powers act on their national interests, would help an analyst predict international trends. The case studies on the foreign policy decisions of nation-states, coupled with insights into global power dynamics, will enable one to gain an edge in the field. This course may be helpful to an aspiring intelligence analyst.

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National Security Analyst

A national security analyst assesses and advises on threats to their country's safety and security. This course, focused on the foreign policies of different powers, may be useful in better understanding the motivations, strategies and behaviors of other nation-states. The course's case studies of different types of powers can assist a national security analyst in anticipating risks. Analysis of power dynamics and international relations can also be beneficial. This course may assist a national security analyst.

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Political Risk Analyst

A political risk analyst assesses the likelihood of political events that could impact business or investment decisions within a nation or region. The course's examination of how a country’s position in the international system shapes its foreign policies directly benefits the political risk analyst. Understanding various international strategies, power dynamics, and foreign policy drivers, including a nation's ranking within the international system is essential in anticipating political risk worldwide. The course’s conceptual framework and its range of case studies provide the right tools for such work. This course may be useful to a political risk analyst.

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Lobbyist

A lobbyist advocates for specific policies or outcomes, often in the political arena. This course may be helpful for a lobbyist by providing knowledge of how different nations formulate their foreign policies, which can be useful when lobbying for changes in foreign or international policy. Knowing how various nation-states act and interact on the world stage, as well as the means and methods they use, will help a lobbyist anticipate how foreign policy decisions are made. This course can offer a solid foundation on the mechanics of the international system. A lobbyist may find value in this course.

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Public Policy Consultant

A public policy consultant advises government agencies or organizations on the development and implementation of policies. A course on foreign policies could potentially assist a public policy consultant, by explaining the factors that influence decisions by nations. Specifically, the course's case studies of great powers, middle powers, and small powers may be useful in advising on governmental policy changes. Understanding the essence of world politics as it is currently being practiced can help one anticipate the future direction of international relations. This course may be useful for a public policy consultant.

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Journalist

A journalist reports on current events, and those focusing on international affairs would find this course relevant. The course familiarizes one with the nature of international relations and the strategies employed by nation-states. Understanding the underlying motivations behind foreign policy decisions, as covered in this course, can provide critical context for reporting international news. The case studies on great, middle, and small powers will assist a journalist in providing well-rounded, nuanced coverage of global issues. Aspiring journalists may find this course valuable.

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Political Scientist

A political scientist studies the theory and practice of politics, including international relations. This course provides an introduction to various aspects of foreign policy including strategies, goals, and drivers. The course's analysis of power and its influence over international relations mirrors the research that a political scientist might focus on. The case studies in the course will provide a good understanding of how nations have adapted and changed their foreign policy strategies. This course can assist someone wanting to study international relations.

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Global Risk Manager

A global risk manager identifies and mitigates risks for an organization that operates internationally. This course, focused on the foreign policies of great, middle, and small powers, may be helpful for a global risk manager as it provides insight into international relations. This course helps provide a strong understanding of the different approaches nation-states take. Considering the power dynamics and international relations strategies may assist some global risk managers. A global risk manager may find value in this course.

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International Trade Specialist

An international trade specialist works to facilitate trade between countries. This course may be helpful to an international trade specialist since foreign policy decisions affect international trade and business. Understanding how great, middle, and small powers strategize in the international sphere will influence commercial relations. Insights into power dynamics and international relations would assist in understanding the context of trade agreements. This course may provide valuable background for someone interested in international trade.

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Nonprofit Program Manager

A nonprofit program manager oversees international programs. This course may be helpful to a program manager by providing essential knowledge about international relations. Specifically, the course's focus on foreign policies and power dynamics can assist those seeking to deliver aid and development programs in other countries. An understanding of how different nations interact with one another can help a program manager develop a better understanding of the international landscape. The course may be helpful for one seeking to work in this capacity.

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Academic Researcher

An academic researcher conducts scholarly research within a field of study. This course, which introduces the foreign policies of various nations, provides a basis for future research on international relations. An academic researcher can use the course's case studies to further analyze the strategies and behaviors of nations in the international system. This course may be helpful to someone considering an academic career in the field of international relations. Further study at the master's or doctoral level is usually required.

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Foreign Policies of Great, Middle, and Small Powers

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Reviews summary

Analyzing foreign policy across power levels

Activities

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