Realists on how states interact
argue war emerges from an anarchic system and insecurity is structural.
Liberals on how states interact
counter [realists] that institutions, norms, and interdependence matter.
Constructivists on how states interact
insist that identities and ideas—not just material power—shape what states want in the first place. Critical and ethical approaches ask whether “security” itself is sometimes the problem.
Constructivism’s assumptions about human nature, states, and power
Liberalism’s assumptions about human nature, states, and power
Realism’s assumptions about human nature, states, and power
List of Realist Thinkers
Morgenthau (Classical Realists)
Meirshimer (Structural Realist)
Ken Waltz (Structural Realist)
List of Constructivist Thinkers
List of Liberal Thinker
Prof Stanley’s Comp’s Template
1) First paragraph must answer all parts of question –no ambiguity. 1-2 sentences on impact of this.
2) Pick 2-4 things as the “why” to your arguement then support. You can list more in intro but say which you’ll limit your scope.
3) Don’t be U.S. centric, always mention other countries and their impact
4) Add counter arguments in second to last paragraph all at once.
What reoccuring problems did IS cover?
answer syllabus lists analytical questions at random then outline an essay
Current events examples to discuss on comps + sources
- Gaza (Katulis 2025, Economist 2025)
- Yemen (South24 2025, Bahas 2025, Yemen Monitor 2025, Saba 2025, Stark 2024)
- Syria (Lister 2025, Phillips 2020)
–China (Bands 2022, Economist 2025
– Afghanistan (Crile 2003, Whitlock 2021 - Semiconductors (Miller, 2022
- Critical minerals (Abraham 2015, Conway, 2023, Kara, 2022
- U.S. Policy (Woodward 2024, Woodward 2004, Dobbs 2008, Draper 2020
- Climate change (Duarte 2023,
What is an “argument” in comps?
- An independent variable
- A dependent variable
- An explanation that frames the relationship between them
If lost, ask “Am I explaining why X affects Y?”
What makes a strong exam argument?
- It takes a clear position
- It is specific enough to be argued against
- It provides a roadmap for the rest of the essay
Doesn’t require brilliance, comprehensiveness, or moral certainty. exam does not require you to be right. It requires you to be coherent and defensible.
What questions should outline answer?
What is the core claim?
What assumptions underlie it?
What evidence supports it?
ex: “Is the United States safer or less safe than it was 24 years ago? Why?”
- is really asking
Define “safety”
Select relevant dimensions of security
Weigh competing trends
Defend a judgment
What does every comp’s question really ask
Identify the relevant dependent variable (outcome, threat, stability, influence)
Select the most important independent variables
Explain why those variables matter more than alternatives
Use cases to demonstrate, not decorate, your argument
*Underlying task: Make a defensible claim about causation or influence and support it with disciplined reasoning.
- essay that does less but does it cleanly and explicitly will almost always outperform an essay that tries to do everything.
Recommended Workflow
Write your thesis (10 minutes)
Develop a question outline directly from your thesis (15 min)
Write to answer the questions in your outline (2 hours)
Go back and edit your answer, including adding transition phrases as necessary between your paragraphs (30 Minutes)
What things to review for at end of writing
1) Did it answer ALL parts of the question (Each distinct “demand”)
2) Does essay have compelling argument
3) Does it have a thesis sentence that takes a position to answer Q
4) Does it support argument w/ necessary literature
5) Does it have major errors
