What You Talkin' Bout Willis?: Recent Episodes
Henry Willis
In this episode I provide an overview of the different responses to climate change, including examples of unilateralism, international cooperation and crisis diplomacy.
In this episode I briefly outline how the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation contribute to climate change.
In this episode I provide an overview of all the key terms relating to Unit 1 AOS 1 of the VCE Australian & Global Politics Course.
In this episode I explain the three key aspects relating to terrorism. These are non-state terrorism, terrorism as an instrument of state policy and asymmetrical warfare.
In this episode I provide an overview of different responses to the global crisis of terrorism. I also explore different factors that challenge the effective resolution of this crisis.
In this episode I provide an overview of the follow key aspects and how they relate to the armed conflict in Syria.
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Intervention
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War as an instrument of state policy
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Prosecuting war crimes in international law
In this episode I explore examples of unilateralism and crisis diplomacy / international cooperation. I also explain how factors like a lack of international cooperation, war profiteering and the presence of Islamic extremists may challenge the effectiveness of these responses.
In this episode I explore the major causes of the armed conflict in Syria. These are sectarian divisions, economic inequalities and the Arab Spring / Globalisation.
In this episode I provide a brief introduction to Unit 4 AOS 2 - Global Crises. I also unpack the key terms, which include unilateralism, international cooperation, crisis diplomacy and globalisation.
In this episode I cover the key ethical debates relating to people movement. These include;
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Obligation to asylum seekers and refugees VS state interests including national security
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Rights of refugees VS Economic migrants
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Disputes over resettlement
In this episode I evaluate the effectiveness of different responses to the ethical issue of people movement. By embracing either a cosmopolitan or a realist perspective, we will come to find that each of these responses have different ethical benefits and limitations.
In this episode I provide an overview of people movement as an ethical issue. I also discuss the provisions and effectiveness of two different international laws. These are the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (CRSR) and the Protocol Against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Air and Sea (PASMLAS).
In this episode I provide an overview of the following ethical debates.
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Cultural challenges to universal rights.
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Economic challenges to universal rights.
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Sovereignty versus the "R2P"
In this episode I explain the provisions of two international laws relating to human rights. I then evaluate the effectiveness of different state responses to these laws.
In this episode I provide an overview of the key knowledge and skills for Unit 4 AOS 1. I also unpack the key terms for this area of study. These include ethics, justice, cosmopolitanism, realism and international law.
In this episode I am joined by Emily and Olivia to discuss the key events and issues relating to the military coup in Myanmar.
In this episode I provide an overview of Chinese aid as a foreign policy instrument, with a specific focus on the use of soft loans in PNG.
In this episode I provide an overview of China's political power, with a particular focus on the new national security and election laws implemented to regulate Hong Kong.
In this episode I discuss the recent American pledge to reduce green house gas emissions to 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030. I also outline some of the challenges associated with pursuing climate change in a democratic context. Furthermore, I spend some time looking at the practical reasons why China is one of the world's leading investors in renewable forms of energy and (controversially) nuclear power.
In this episode I provide an overview of China's diplomatic power, with a specific focus on their use of sport diplomacy.
In this episode I provide an overview of China's economic power with a specific focus on their use of trade as a foreign policy instrument.
In this episode I provide an overview of China's cultural (soft) power, with a specific focus on their use of Confucius Institutes.
In this episode I provide an overview of China's military (hard) power, with a specific focus on the strategic placement of armed forces in the South China Sea.
In this episode I outline how to write an essay in Global Politics. I also provide a brief overview of two different essay topics.
In this episode I outline the factors shaping China's regional relationships and their international standing. I also discuss the different ideas and debates relating to these aims, and the degree to which China has achieved these aims.
In this episode I outlined the factors shaping China's economic prosperity. I also discuss the different ideas and debates relating to the pursuit of economic prosperity in China, and the degree to which the state has achieved this aim.
In this episode I outline the factors shaping China's national security. I also discuss the different ideas and debates relating to the national security in China, and the degree to which the state has achieved this aim.
In this episode I provide an overview of all the key terms and concepts for Unit 3 AOS 2.
In this episode I provide a broad overview of all the key knowledge and skills points relating to Unit 3 Area of Study 2.
In this episode I discuss the key aims, roles and power of Walmart (a TNC). I also discuss the degree to which a TNC can challenge state sovereignty.
In this episode I discuss the aims, roles and power of different non state actors such as the Islamic State and Human Rights Watch. I also assess the degree to which these actors can erode state sovereignty.
In this episode I discuss the key aims, roles and power of the International Criminal Court. I also discuss the degree to which the International Criminal Court erodes state sovereignty.
In this episode I discuss the key aims, roles and power of the International Monetary Fund. I also discuss the degree to which the International Monetary Fund can erode state sovereignty.
In this episode I discuss the key aims, roles and power of the United Nations. I also discuss the degree to which the United Nations can erode state sovereignty.
In this episode I provide an overview of state power and how sovereignty can be challenged by regional groupings, contested borders and issues that require a multilateral resolution.
In this episode I provide a brief explanation of the key terms required in Unit 3 AOS 1. These include the following concepts; state, nation, sovereignty, power, global governance, globalisation and multilateralism.
In this episode I provide a brief overview of the key knowledge and skills outcomes for the VCE Global Politics course.