Task – ‘Open-source’ task. Theory – 10 point task – a ‘Open-source’ task. Find/identify main postulates of given great thinker/scholar [from Martin Griffiths

michael mann
Michael Mann is a sociologist and political analyst who has made significant contributions to the study of international relations (IR). His work focuses on the study of power and how it shapes world politics.
Main postulates of Michael Mann:

1. 
   Four Sources of Power: Mann argues that power has four sources: economic, military, political, and intellectual-ideological.
   
2. 
   Historical Sociology: Mann contends that IR should be understood through historical sociology, which considers the historical context of power relationships between states.
   
3. 
   Structure and Agency: Mann emphasizes the interplay between structure and agency, arguing that the actions of individual actors are shaped by broader structures, such as the state system.
   

Illustration of events / cases in IR:

1. 
   The US and Soviet Union during the Cold War: Mann's work helps us understand the role that power played in shaping the relationship between the US and Soviet Union during the Cold War.
   
2. 
   The Rise of China: Mann's four sources of power can be used to explain China's rising power in the international system, especially in the economic and military spheres.
   
3. 
   The European Union: Mann's work on historical sociology can be applied to the development of the European Union, which can be seen as the result of a long historical process of power dynamics and cooperation between states in Europe.
   

charles tilly
Charles Tilly was a prominent sociologist who made significant contributions to the study of International Relations (IR). Tilly's work focuses on the relationship between state building and war. His main postulates are:

1. 
   The Modern State System: Tilly argued that the modern state system was formed through a process of continuous war, state formation, and territorial expansion. He suggests that the state is not an entity that exists independently of its historical context, but is rather a product of a complex set of historical processes.
   
2. 
   The Capitalist World-Economy: Tilly argued that the modern state system was linked to the development of a global capitalist world-economy. He suggested that the growth of the global economy facilitated the expansion of the modern state system and increased the frequency and intensity of war.
   
3. 
   The War-Making State: Tilly emphasized the role of the state in promoting and maintaining the military power of states. He argued that the state plays a crucial role in securing and consolidating power, as well as in the preparation and execution of wars.
   

Illustration of Tilly's Postulates in IR:

1. 
   The formation of the Modern State System: The formation of the modern state system can be illustrated by the Thirty Years War (1618-1648), which was a conflict between the Protestant and Catholic states of Europe. The war resulted in the strengthening of state power and the development of the modern state system.
   
2. 
   The Capitalist World-Economy: The growth of the capitalist world-economy can be seen in the formation of the European Union (EU) after World War II. The EU facilitated the integration of European economies, leading to increased trade and investment, and ultimately, the creation of a single European market.
   
3. 
   The War-Making State: The role of the state in promoting and maintaining military power can be seen in the rise of military spending during the Cold War. The arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union resulted in increased military spending and the development of sophisticated weapons systems.