51ĀŅĀ×

51ĀŅĀ× alumnus Robert Venosa, Ph.D., recently authored two articles exploring the emergence of liberal internationalist ideas as a method for governing international relations in the 1930s and 1950s.

Venosa, who earned a Ph.D. in History and a Contemporary History Certificate  in 2020 from the College of Arts and Sciences, is currently employed by the business intelligence firm Bulletin Intelligence.

In the articles, published in leading journals and the , Venosa argues that these were the ā€œcrucial yearsā€ when liberal internationalism was defined as an ideology. ā€œCertain beliefs became dogma,ā€ Venosa writes, ā€œwhile others were abandoned ā€¦ creating the ideology we know today.ā€

Venosa said he hopes that the articles will appeal to more than just scholars of liberal internationalism.

ā€œUnderstanding the development of liberal internationalism as it underwent a period of successive crises early in its history can help citizens and policymakers put the current difficulties the liberal worldview faces into a broader perspective,ā€ he argues. ā€œBy understanding the intellectual inheritances that drive liberal internationalism ā€¦ those concerned with international order will be better able to see that the fortunes of liberal internationalism depend on a certain confluence of historical circumstances, rather than the belief in ostensibly timeless or universally applicable principles.ā€

Venosa credits the Contemporary History Institute (CHI) for much of his academic and professional success.

ā€œCHI [was] invaluable in helping me discover the appropriate frameworks to use when researching, conceptualizing and writing both my dissertation and my two recent journal articles.ā€ He added that ā€œthe skills I learned through CHI ā€“ in particular, the ability to sort through and synthesize unfamiliar material by understanding what is most important or relevant ā€“ have helped me to adapt to [my current] position.ā€

Having now successfully navigated the publication process himself, Venosa has some advice for young scholars thinking about publishing their own work.

ā€œAspiring young scholars shouldnā€™t fear the publishing process,ā€ he said, ā€œFrom my experience, the editors and reviewers at academic [presses] are eager to help get good scholarship published, and their comments will help you grow as a scholar.ā€

With his first two articles now in print, Venosa next plans to work on turning his dissertation into a book.

See more news about history alumni.