International Relations
Topic: How can the theory of neoliberal institutionalism explain the founding of World Bank, and how would it explain the organisation’s record of success? How would the theory of realism respond to these ar
Complete topic: How can the theory of neoliberal institutionalism explain the founding of World Bank, and how would it explain the organisation’s record of success? How would the theory of realism respond to these arguments?
Introduction: Why did states decide to create this organisation? What problem(s) is it designed to solve?
Introduce your essay by discussing the issue area covered by the international organisation (IO). Why is this issue important to states, and what could they achieve by cooperating? What are the challenges that limit the scope for cooperation in the absence of an IO; in other words, what types of problems is the IO designed to solve and why would states (in theory at least) want to join it?
Theoretical analysis: What mechanisms does the IO use to achieve its objectives?
What are the formal objectives of the IO and what does the IO actually do in practice? Categorise these activities theoretically: through what mechanisms does the IO help states cooperate and work together?
Empirical assessment: How successful has the organisation been at achieving its objectives, and why?
The “why” is all-important here. Try to explain the track record of the IO’s success, and use this analysis to make an argument about the empirical validity of the neoliberal institutionalist approach to international organisations.
Critiques and concluding analysis:
Finally, choose either realism or constructivism (but not both) as a competing theoretical perspective, and ask, what are the main criticisms that can be made by the competing theory against your neoliberal institutionalist explanation of the IO provided above? Specifically, are there any theoretical gaps or empirical anomalies not fully resolved by neoliberal institutionalism in your analysis? Does neoliberal institutionalism help counter these criticisms effectively? Why? If not, why not? Finally, what is your conclusion about the superiority of neoliberal institutionalism as the dominant approach to international organisations? Conclude your argument by discussing the prospects for the IO’s future success.
The aim of this essay is to demonstrate knowledge of the different theories of international organisations, and connect these theories to a sophisticated analysis of the workings and record of the IO. In other words, you are writing about an international organisation by making a theoretically-informed argument and supporting it with empirical evidence – this is the basis of a good research paper in the social sciences.
Additional submission instructions:
• A critical book review will not be accepted. In case your paper topic overlaps with empirical case studies covered in the course, your paper must demonstrate substantial independent research.
• Do not copy any part of the research paper suggested structure that we have outlined above into your research paper.
• Your paper should cite at least five (5) different outside references that are not assigned in the course.
**Referencing Style: Harvard Style with in-text citations**
