Posts by thomasdonahue

thomasdonahue

Aug 15, 2012

Essays / How to pose the thesis & structure: Intervention in Bosnia, Rwanda and Somalia. [3]

"peacekeeping operations failed in Rwanda and Somalia due to internal state politics, affecting the international community response"

Somalia failed because the US didn't want more American soldier deaths overseas for a war that wasn't in its 'national interest'
Rwanda failed because the US (and the UN) didn't want another Somalia

But at the same time (same time frame), the US, UN and entire internatinoal community put resources towards the peacekeeping effort in the former Yugoslavia.

Really, I'm trying to wrap this multi-dimensional question/statement into a nicely written out and easy to understand thesis.

1. Rwanda failed because of Somalia, but Bosnia succeeded. Mostly because there was a greater concern of security and strategic interest at stake in the former Yugoslavia. \\

So, I could actually state that the UN and its member States aren't actually interested in humanitarian affairs or crimes against humanity (generally, the charter of the UN), but instead international events that affect the member State in regards to security, strategic interest, international relations and economics.

thomasdonahue

Aug 15, 2012

Essays / 'How multinational organizations affect domestic politics' - essay content? [5]

Is this paper based on domestic politics of the country in question? I.e., a MNC in a third world country or the MNC of a particular country (the US) affecting those policies?

Consider how MNC's affect international relations (Bretton Woods, GATT, Interdependence, globalization)... different industries (Oil, Agriculture), foreign direct investment (political factors and where it will go) and how it effects economics and thus, policies... One country to consider is Brazil and why they received so much FDI over other countries (bolivia), state owned enterprises... OPEC, world bank, OECD...

Things to look up that have affect national policies:

Hickenlooper amendment
Gonzalez amendment
ITT in Chile
MNC's and Panama (1988)
Calvo Doctrine

Would consider getting the book or e-book

"The politics of international economic relations" by Joan E. Spero.

thomasdonahue

Aug 15, 2012

Essays / Help to write an essay on choosing a good local university [3]

usnews. com/rankings

Here is another site with good information. I would also consider 'graduation and placement' rates as part of the essay.

thomasdonahue

Aug 15, 2012

Essays / How to pose the thesis & structure: Intervention in Bosnia, Rwanda and Somalia. [3]

[1] I plan on discussing and analyzing the decisions behind the various types of intervention (peacekeeping, peace enforcement, and peace building) used in the three countries of Somalia, Rwanda and Bosnia.

Somalia intervention was UN/US led and considered a failure (quick pull out). Intervention was "Peace Enforcement".

Rwanda intervention was led by the UN and considered a failure. Intervention was "Traditional Peacekeeping", a change from peace enforcement due to the failure in Somalia.

Bosnian intervention was NATO/UN led and considered a 'success' (depending on what the standards of success are measured on), and reconstruction efforts continue to this day. Bosnia was generally a mix of peacekeeping, peace enforcement and peace building.

[2] I think the question I want to pose is either:

How much do major powers affect UN peacekeeping operations and decisions

or

What drives member states of the United Nations to affect peacekeeping operations? Military success? Security? Strategic importance? ... this question would be posed since it is obvious that major powers affect un decisions.

[3]
Finally, not sure the best way to structure this paper. It will be 15-20 pages in length. I was considering 5-7 pages per 'case study' of each country would be the easiest (both for the reader and the writer). This would also be in a loose time-date order. I would write about Somalia first, Rwanda and finally Bosnia (to wrap everything up).

Thanks,
Tom