The international system appears to be undergoing major change. This seminar explores these recent changes from a historical perspective. It looks at the events that have had a major impact on the actors, processes, and norms of international politics during the last four centuries. It also discusses how international relations research identifies major change in international politics, including the concept of ‘monster years’, a time-based criterion for identifying the most significant changes in international politics. A primary question concerns whether the year 2018 qualifies as a ‘monster year’, based on the recent actions and policies by the major players in international politics.
Speakers
Professor Emeritus, University of British Columbia
Kalevi Holsti is Emeritus Professor of Political Science at the University of British Columbia. He received his PhD from Stanford University and he has been Visiting Professor at the University of Hawaii, Hebrew University, McGill University, Kyoto University, Australian National University, amongst others. In 1986-1987, he served as President of the International Studies Association. He is a Member of the Royal Society of Canada as well as the Finnish Society of Science and Letters. Professor Holsti has published numerous books, chapters in edited volumes, and journal articles.
Professor, Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Torbjørn L. Knutsen is Professor of Political Science at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and Adjunct Professor at the Royal Norwegian Air Force Academy. He received his PhD from the University of Denver and he has served as an adviser to the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He has previously taught at Vanderbilt University and George Mason University and conducted research at the University of Southern California, the Norwegian Nobel Institute and the Johns Hopkins University. Professor Knutsen has published books on international relations theory, foreign policy and research methods.
Director, Finnish Institute of International Affairs
Puheenjohtaja
Research Director
Mikael Wigell works a Research Director at FIIA. He is an internationally recognized pioneer in geoeconomics research and an expert in hybrid threats analytics.
Wigell has held visiting fellowships at the University of Cambridge and Oxford University. He currently serves as Chairman of The Geoeconomics Society, Member of the World Economic Forum’s Expert Network, and External Geopolitical Advisor to Burson.
Wigell’s research has been published in leading policy and scientific journals including Comparative Strategy, International Affairs, The Washington Quarterly, and World Development. He has been Chairman of the Finnish International Studies Association. His current editorial roles include Co-Editor-in-Chief of Law & Geoeconomics (a scientific journal published by De Gruyter Brill) and Co-Editor of Springer Studies in Law & Geoeconomics (a book series).
He has led international research projects at the intersection of economics, geopolitics, hybrid threats, and resilience, funded by organizations such as the European Commission, NATO and the Nordic Council of Ministers. He also written reports and provided advice to organizations such as the Development Bank of Japan and the European Parliament. He is a former member of the Development Policy Committee of the Government of Finland.
Dr. Wigell holds a PhD from the London School of Economics and the Title of Docent at Tampere University.