Who Gets to Shape World Politics? Foreign Policy, Diplomacy and Power

Who Gets to Shape World Politics? is a one-week course in international relations at Tallinn Winter School, 11–15 January 2027, at Tallinn University in Tallinn, Estonia. It is for students with a background in international relations, political science, economics, sociology, history, geography, political theory or a related field. There are no prerequisites, and the group is limited to 25 participants. 20 contact hours, 4 ECTS. Fee: 450€ early bird until 31 October, 500€ after.

Why do some states have more influence than others? How do governments pursue security and survival in a world shaped by unequal power? And what can diplomacy and international organisations achieve when states have competing interests? This course offers an engaging introduction to the theory and practice of foreign policy and diplomacy. It explores how state and non-state actors navigate an international system marked by power, hierarchy, uncertainty and rivalry, asking not only why these actors behave as they do, but also how they seek to shape the world around them.

Drawing on Foreign Policy Analysis and International Relations, the course examines foreign policy from multiple levels of analysis, from the international system and relations between states to domestic institutions and individual leaders. It explores key questions of power, hierarchy, status, agency, survival and influence, while considering the strategies states use to pursue their interests and manage vulnerability.

The course connects these theoretical perspectives to pressing contemporary challenges, including international security, climate change, space, nuclear weapons, international negotiations and global governance. Particular attention is given to diplomacy, international organisations, coalition-building and other forms of cooperation through which states attempt to advance their interests and influence international outcomes.

Combining interactive discussion, contemporary cases and perspectives from diplomats and practitioners, the course invites students to think critically about the possibilities and limits of foreign policy in a changing world. By the end of the course, students will have developed an analytical toolkit for understanding foreign-policy choices and diplomatic strategies, and a deeper appreciation of the question at the heart of international politics: how do actors pursue influence in a world they cannot fully control?

The course combines short lectures, interactive seminars, case discussions, group exercises and independent study. Students are expected to complete one compulsory academic reading before each class and are encouraged to engage with additional recommended material.