International relations

Overview

International relations (IR) or international affairs (IA) — commonly also referred to as international studies (IS), global studies (GS), or global affairs (GA) — is the study of interconnectedness of politics, economics and law on a global level. Depending on the academic institution, it is either a field of political science, an interdisciplinary academic field similar to global studies, or an entirely independent academic discipline in which students take a variety of internationally focused courses in social science and humanities disciplines.

History

The history of international relations can be traced back to the Peace of Westphalia of 1648, where the modern state system was developed. Sovereign states were established as the primary actors in international relations, and the principle of non-interference was established. The concept of international relations was established in the early 20th century, and the study of international relations has been a major discipline in political science since then.

Theoretical Approaches

There are several theoretical approaches to understanding international relations. These include realism, liberalism, and constructivism, among others. Each of these theories offers a unique perspective on how states interact with each other and the international system.

Realism

Realism, also known as political realism, is a view of international politics that stresses its competitive and conflictual side. It is usually contrasted with idealism or liberalism, which tends to emphasize cooperation.

Liberalism

Liberalism is a school of thought within international relations theory which can be thought to revolve around three interrelated principles: Rejection of power politics as the only possible outcome of international relations; it questions security/warfare principles of realism; It accentuates mutual benefits and international cooperation; It implements international organizations and non-state actors for a more global governing, rather than a state-centric system.

Constructivism

Constructivism is a theory critical of the ontological basis of rationalist theories of international relations. While it is often misconstrued as a theory, constructivism is actually a philosophical orientation or ontology that critiques and reformulates the basic assumptions of rationalist IR theories.

International Law

International law is a critical component of international relations. It is a set of rules, norms and standards generally accepted in relations between nations. It includes the principles and rules of conduct which states feel obliged to observe in their relations with each other.

International Organizations

International organizations play a crucial role in international relations. These include intergovernmental organizations such as the United Nations and the World Bank, and non-governmental organizations like the Red Cross.

Diplomacy

Diplomacy is the practice of influencing the decisions and conduct of foreign governments or organizations through dialogue, negotiation, and other nonviolent means. It is the main mechanism used by states to manage their international relations.