Home › Power, Principles & AI: A Curriculum in Structural Realism
Power, Principles & AI: A Curriculum in Structural Realism
Subject: Power, Principles & AI: A Curriculum in Structural Realism
18 chapters
Chapters
Key Concepts saxophone 2-step, symphonic cloud rap, cloud rap symphonic metal · 4:04 Explore the foundational principles of structural realism through an examination of international anarchy, where nations operate without a supreme global authority and must navigate power balances to survive. Learn how the anarchic structure of the international system shapes state behavior and creates perpetual security dilemmas in world politics.
Readings punk electropop, ambient trance chanson, bubblegum bass · 3:58 Learn how Kenneth Waltz's groundbreaking 1979 theory explains why the structure of the international system—not individual countries—determines global politics and conflict patterns. Discover how the number of great powers (poles) shapes everything from war and peace to alliance formation in our anarchic world order.
Discussion Prompts illbient egyptian, acoustic chicago blues motown · 4:22 Ancient Athenian power politics come alive through the legendary Melian Dialogue, exploring how moral arguments clash with raw military might in international relations. Listeners will examine timeless questions about whether justice can survive when faced with overwhelming force, using classical examples to understand modern geopolitical realities.
Key Concepts saxophone 2-step, symphonic cloud rap, cloud rap symphonic metal · 3:06 Government control over markets becomes clear through contractual power and classification systems, revealing how state authority shapes economic outcomes even in seemingly free market environments.
Case Studies saxophone 2-step, symphonic cloud rap, cloud rap symphonic metal · 3:09 Examining pivotal moments when AI companies faced government pressure, this analysis reveals how corporate responses to authoritarian demands can either reinforce or challenge existing power structures in democratic societies.
Discussion Prompts afro-jazz blues rock, crunk punk, house, swing roots reggae · 4:11 Explore how major AI companies navigate the complex tensions between corporate ethics and government partnerships, examining real-world examples of when tech giants choose compliance or resistance when faced with military and intelligence demands.
Key Concepts illbient egyptian, acoustic chicago blues motown · 5:42 Learn how market fungibility creates structural constraints where companies become interchangeable players, making individual ethical choices largely irrelevant as competitors simply fill vacant positions in harmful systems.
Analytical Framework russian celtic, piano afroswing, celtic · 3:56 Learn to systematically analyze power structures by mapping key players, assessing their capabilities and reach, and understanding the broader ecosystem before making strategic decisions. This framework teaches you to step back from immediate choices and first comprehensively survey the field where competing forces collide.
Discussion Prompts russian celtic, piano afroswing, celtic · 4:29 Explore the tension between moral principles and practical outcomes through thought-provoking scenarios that challenge listeners to examine whether virtuous acts have value beyond their immediate results.
Key Concepts illbient egyptian, acoustic chicago blues motown · 4:42 Learn how modern intelligence gathering transforms scattered data streams from satellites and sensors into comprehensive strategic pictures through advanced fusion techniques that reveal hidden patterns in global power dynamics.
Readings punk electropop, ambient trance chanson, bubblegum bass · 3:47 Explore the critical debate over autonomous weapons systems and the shifting balance between human oversight and machine decision-making in modern warfare, drawing from Paul Scharre's influential analysis of military AI development.
Discussion Prompts hindi acid rock, new wave acid trance · 4:33 Explore the ethical dilemmas faced by tech workers creating targeting algorithms, questioning who bears responsibility when AI systems make life-and-death decisions based on probability calculations.
Key Concepts illbient egyptian, acoustic chicago blues motown · 5:04 Explore how seemingly innocent daily activities like checking phones and buying coffee create detailed surveillance profiles through data aggregation, revealing the hidden power structures embedded in modern digital life.
Readings saxophone 2-step, symphonic cloud rap, cloud rap symphonic metal · 3:21 Digital privacy laws clash with modern surveillance technology as the Supreme Court's Carpenter decision reshapes Fourth Amendment protections for location data collected by cell towers and smartphones.
Discussion Prompts afro-jazz blues rock, crunk punk, house, swing roots reggae · 3:41 Explore the complex intersection of corporate data collection, government surveillance, and artificial intelligence through thought-provoking questions that challenge listeners to examine how AI transforms traditional privacy and power dynamics.
Key Concepts afro-jazz blues rock, crunk punk, house, swing roots reggae · 3:47 Explore the fundamental tension between moral principles and political power, learning how to navigate the strategic spectrum from accommodation to defiance when fighting for what's right without sufficient leverage.
Strategic Frameworks saxophone 2-step, symphonic cloud rap, cloud rap symphonic metal · 3:32 Learn four essential strategic pathways for navigating high-stakes power dynamics without compromising your core principles. Discover when to use quiet negotiation, coalition building, and other tactical approaches to maintain influence while avoiding destructive confrontation.
Capstone Exercise punk electropop, ambient trance chanson, bubblegum bass · 3:58 Navigate the complex ethical dilemmas facing a tech corporation torn between lucrative military contracts and moral principles, exploring how power dynamics and financial pressures challenge organizational integrity in the defense industry.