The Department of International Relations and Diplomacy is developing international cooperation: a guest lecture by British academic Ben Garner
As part of the educational platform ‘International Relations and Diplomacy: British Guest Lectures’ organised by the Department of International Relations and Diplomacy of WUNU, a lecture entitled ‘The Donroe Doctrine: Understanding Trump’s Approach to Latin America” was held for students of the “International Relations” degree programme.
The special guest speaker at the event was Dr Ben Garner (United Kingdom) – a senior lecturer and head of the international development programmes at the University of Portsmouth.
The lecture analysed the transformation of US foreign policy in the Western Hemisphere, particularly through the lens of the evolution of the Monroe Doctrine – one of the key principles of American foreign policy for over two centuries. Particular attention was paid to the ‘Donroe Doctrine’ – an interpretation of the Donald Trump administration’s approach to Latin America, as well as its place in contemporary international processes.
The speaker presented a critical analysis of changes in US approaches to the region and outlined their significance in the context of broader transformations in the global order, particularly the debates surrounding the crisis of the liberal international order.
The event attracted considerable interest among students and lecturers, and was followed by a lively discussion and questions for the speaker.
Khrystyna Krasnoshchoka, a second-year student enrolled in the International Relations programme, shared her thoughts: “The lecture I attended made a very good impression on me, as the topic was highly relevant and directly linked to our field of study. I liked that the lecturer presented the material in an accessible and structured way, with a presentation and explanation of everything discussed, so even the complex aspects of international politics were clear. Particularly useful was the explanation of how the classic Monroe Doctrine has evolved over time and how its ideas are reflected in contemporary US foreign policy. The lecture examined US foreign policy in the Western Hemisphere, particularly in relations with Latin American countries. Special attention was paid to the approach of the Donald Trump administration. It was interesting to learn how these approaches are assessed in the contemporary international context and what challenges they pose to the international order. I found this lecture particularly useful as it helped me better understand the connection between historical doctrines and contemporary politics. It was also valuable to hear the views of a British scholar and gain a fresh perspective on familiar topics.”
Olena Plaksa, a first-year student of the International Relations programme, remarked: ‘The lecture made a tremendous impression and proved to be extremely useful. Thanks to the thorough and engaging presentation by British lecturer Ben Garner, we were able not only to deepen our knowledge but also to gain a whole new perspective on current US politics. It was particularly valuable that the lecturer explained in detail the connection between the historical principles of the Monroe Doctrine and present-day political decisions. This helped us understand why events in the US and its foreign policy towards Latin American countries are unfolding in this particular way. At the same time, the lecture showed that history does indeed repeat itself, yet it is constantly being transformed by new global challenges. We are grateful to the lecturer, the organisers and the lecturers for the opportunity to gain such valuable and relevant experience.”
The event was organised with the support of the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs and Research, Professor Uliana Koruts, and the International Relations Office of WUNU.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Dr Ben Garner for his informative and insightful lecture, and to all participants for their active involvement and interest.
