Question 1 10 Points This is your first written response. Nice! Remember that we

Question 1
10 Points
This is your first written response. Nice! Remember that we want to reward you for your hard work and for your knowledge of course materials, especially the readings. Show your work and your knowledge off in this response. Treat it like a “mini-essay” where you’ve been asked to make an informed argument based on the course readings.
Remember: full details for this assignment and some hints and suggestions are available in your Assignment Instructions document.
Prompt: Realism and liberalism are two distinct theoretical traditions. Theorists and thinkers in each tradition see the world of global politics in very different ways. In particular, as we read, they have divergent views of the possibility of lasting peace between states. This is clear when we consider how neorealists like John Mearsheimer understand the rise of China, compared with how neoliberal thinkers like G. John Ikenberry and Daniel Deudney understand this case.
You have two related questions for this response: (1) Why do these two traditions, realism and liberalism, have different views about the possibility of peace between states? To answer question 1, be sure to showcase the underlying assumptions of each theory that lead to these divergent views. (2) Which tradition, realism or liberalism, best helps us explain the ongoing tensions between the USA and a rising China, and why?
Answer these two questions in a mini-essay, demonstrating your knowledge of the reading materials from this week. Be sure to cite properly including page numbers (see the link provided in your Assignment Instructions document for a citation guide). Make an informed argument that impresses us with your hard work and knowledge.
Answer these questions in the space provided below (copy and paste from a Word document).
Reminders and Recommendations:
Your Written Response should be 3-5 paragraphs, and must not be more than 800 words.
Be clear and concise and proof-read your writing. Avoid repetition.
It is not recommended that you rely on quotations. Instead, synthesize material in your own words.
Be sure to cite your claims properly, including using page numbers. No bibliography is required. Failure to cite will result in a zero on this assignment. Problems with citation will drastically reduce your score.
Be sure to address all questions or elements of the prompt.
Impress your Instructor by demonstrating your knowledge of the reading material, including both required and recommended (rather than lecture material), and your ability to offer an informed viewpoint that is supported by cited evidence.
No additional research is required beyond the required and recommended readings.
For details regarding citations, expectations, and grading of your Written Response, as well as how to interpret your score, see the Syllabus.
Hints and Specific Suggestions:
For this response, be sure to discuss the basics of each tradition in some detail and make clear why they have divergent views as to the root of conflict and cooperation. Your readings do this nicely for you. So use your readings – show off all your hard work and all your knowledge!
For this response, it is advised that you write three (3) body paragraphs: one surveying the central arguments and assumptions of the realist tradition, one surveying the central arguments and assumptions of the liberal tradition, and one articulating your own view of which is more convincing in explaining the USA-China case
We want to reward you for doing three things well in this written response: (i) accurately explaining each theory as we saw in our readings; (ii) making clear how and why each has a different view of war and cooperation and the USA-China relationship, something we also saw in our readings this week, and (iii) showing us, with some detail, why you think one is better at explaining that USA-China relationship than the other (i.e. making an informed argument).
This response can and should draw on any of required and recommended readings you see fit from weeks 3 and 4, and another course reading you think would be useful.
Final Reminders:
Please write your response in the space below (do not attach a file)
Check your formatting before submitting (make sure it is correct and clear, including your citations)
Citations are required.
No bibliography is required
You can submit 2 days late without penalty.
A 5% penalty is applied after 2 days to a maximum of 6 days late (when it is scored a zero).