IR201: Power Shift: The West, the BRICS and The Crisis of the Liberal International Order?

At the beginning of the 21st century the world stood on the cusp of what most experts assumed would be a golden age of international peace and prosperity guaranteed by American power and underwritten by an ever-expanding world market dominated by the West.  

But 9/11, the following US military interventions, and the financial crisis of 2008 followed, leaving the United States in decline, Europe in crisis, and the balance of power rapidly shifting eastwards towards Asia and China and southwards towards the ‘Global South’.   

More recently, the challenges posed by populism in the West, a more assertive China and Russia led by Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin respectively, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, conflicts in the Middle East, and the impact of COVID-19 and climate change made the international system a less peaceful and stable place. Some even wonder whether the Liberal international order itself is now under threat, challenged by an expanding BRICS group.  

But how have all these major changes come about? Is the West in decline and what are the main emerging powers? And are we heading toward a new world order or even great power conflict? These are at least some of the big questions we will be seeking to answer in this course.

Prerequisites: At least one introductory course in either social science (e.g. political science, international relations, sociology, economics), history, law or any other cognate subject in the Arts or Humanities. 

Level: 200 level. Read more information on levels in our FAQs

Fees: Please see Fees and payments

Lectures: 36 hours

Classes: 18 hours

Assessment: One examination and one essay

Typical credit: 3-4 credits (US) 7.5 ECTS points (EU)

Please note: Assessment is optional but may be required for credit by your home institution. Your home institution will be able to advise how you can meet their credit requirements. For more information on exams and credit, read Teaching and assessment

The course is designed with several different audiences in mind: undergraduate students at all levels looking for an expert guide through contemporary international issues; policy-makers at all levels seeking an in-depth survey of the main challenges facing the world today; those from any of the major social science disciplines who take the ‘global’ seriously; members of international organisations and NGOs; and anybody with a keen interest in international affairs who wishes to deepen his or her understanding of world issues.

• Understand the changing distribution of power and the evolution of key great powers across the 20th and 21st centuries.

• Critically engage the relevant literature and debates on power shift and the rise and decline of great powers.

• Analyse the causes and consequences of power shifts in international relations.

• Produce written analyses on questions related to power shifts in international relations.

The design of this course is guided by LSE faculty, as well as industry experts, who will share their experience and in-depth knowledge with you throughout the course.