Reflections on Our Founding
The School of International Relations and Pacific Studies was founded in 1986 during a period of rapid international change. In marked contrast to the global setting in 1960, when UC San Diego was founded, the dominant global economic position of the United States seemed less secure, even as its Cold War rival, the Soviet Union, faltered.
IR/PS was formed in response to international change. The strategic choices made by the School’s founders—especially curricular choices—reflected their conception of the professional training appropriate to the changing global environment. Their understanding of the emerging global environment was in many respects prescient, particularly in its reading of the emerging era of globalization. At the same time, no reading of the future global environment and its demands could capture every dimension of the future accurately.
"Twenty-five years ago IR/PS began with a vision. The Pacific region is even more important now than we had anticipated and likely to continue to grow. All those changes in the world we did not think about—for example the end of the USSR and the Cold War—placed the Pacific in a new, ever evolving context, giving us plenty to do in carrying out our mission. Indeed, change is a fertilizer for us, providing nutrients for the growth of our School. I am proud to have been a part of it."
- Peter Gourevitch, Founding Dean
After 25 years, the global strategic context has changed and IR/PS is focusing on our thoughts about the future. We invite you to join us as we answer these questions throughout the coming years.
