Free online coursePower and politics

Course Description

The course "Power and Politics" is an insightful exploration into the intricate relationship between political dynamics and business administration. With a comprehensive duration of 31 hours and 33 minutes, this course delves into significant historical and contemporary issues that shape our world today. It has garnered a strong average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars, indicating its widespread appreciation among learners. Belonging to the Business Administration category and focusing specifically on political aspects, the course offers a profound understanding of power and politics through various lenses.

The course commences with an introductory lecture on "Power and Politics in Today’s World," setting the stage for a thorough examination of the subject. It journeys through pivotal historical transformations such as the transition from Soviet Communism to Russian gangster capitalism, and the advent of a unipolar world marked by the expansion of NATO and the EU. These initial lectures provide a solid foundation for understanding the complex geopolitical landscape that continues to influence global politics.

Delving deeper, the course investigates unique political-economical fusions seen in countries like China and Vietnam, which have successfully merged capitalist economics with communist politics. It then shifts focus to the resurgence of right-wing politics in the West and the reorientation of leftist movements through ideologies such as New Democrats, New Labour, and Europe’s Social Democrats. Such discussions offer learners insights into the evolving political spectrums and their impacts on governance and policy-making.

The course also examines significant political movements and their implications, such as the anti-tax movement, and the controversial policies of privatizing government functions including utilities, eminent domain, local government, prisons, and the military. It delves into the critical role of money in politics and explores the possibility of a democratic revival through case studies from regions like South Africa, Northern Ireland, and the Middle East, highlighting the intertwining of business and democratic reforms.

As the lectures progress, learners are guided through international concerns like the establishment and responsibilities of the International Criminal Court and responses to global crises such as 9/11 and the ensuing global war on terror. More recent geopolitical developments are analyzed, including the demise of neoconservative policies from Afghanistan to Iraq, the shifting stance on humanitarian intervention, and China's expanding influence in Africa.

The course does not shy away from examining contentious subjects such as the political limits of business seen in the Israel-Palestine conflict, the financial crises' aftermath, and the political sources of populism. It encourages learners to critically assess various political ideologies and movements, culminating in a discussion on the agendas for democratic reform and the fundamental elements of distributive politics, unemployment, and the challenges in education and health insurance reforms.

"Power and Politics" is a meticulously structured course that equips learners with a nuanced understanding of the global political landscape, its historical transformations, and contemporary challenges. Ideal for those interested in the intersection of business administration and politics, this course provides both foundational knowledge and in-depth analyses, making it a valuable educational endeavor for aspiring political and business leaders.