Gwybodaeth Modiwlau

This module adds to the Departmental provision in the areas of international political theory and third world politics by providing a sustained focus on the theoretical and normative debates surrounding the issue of underdevelopment. It complements existing provision in a range of different areas, building on knowledge acquired in Part One modules such as IP12220 Revolution and Continuity in Political Philosophy, IP10420 Introduction to International Politics and IP10620 Introduction to the Third World in International Politics and at Part Two in such modules as IP39220 The Third World in International Politics. It allows interested students to gain specialist knowledge of a variety of theories of under-development, policy debates, and philosophical arguments regarding the importance and moral necessity of assisting the distant needy.

This module examines the problem of global poverty. The primary engagement with this issue will be through normative theory, and theories of underdevelopment - and their attendant policy recommendations. Students will engage with philosophical debates under the rubric of 'global justice'. These debates are generally located within contemporary liberal political theory, especially the tradition inspired by the work of John Rawls, and they are focused on how we can justify duties to distant strangers and how they might best be realized. The module will also look in some detail at the empirical theories that inform these debates, evaluating a variety of theoretical perspectives on development. Finally, students will be encouraged to reflect on both normative and empirical debates and evaluate the various policy prescriptions that arise from these competing perspectives. This module will be available to students studying through the medium of Welsh and English.