"International Relations (IR) are the interactions among sovereign states."
International relations can play a significant role in military strategy, as it can inform decisions around alliances, diplomacy, and possible threats.
International Relations Theory: The study of international relations theory concerns the various theoretical frameworks through which analysts and academics attempt to understand the dynamic and complex world of global politics.
Theories of War and Conflict: The study of theories of war and conflict concerns the various theoretical frameworks through which analysts and academics attempt to understand the nature, causes, and conduct of war.
Military History: The study of military history provides a comprehensive understanding of the past wars, strategies, tactics, and lessons learned that informs and influences modern-day military strategy.
National Security Policy: The study of national security policy centers on the procedures and protocols put in place to protect a nation’s interests and its people while maintaining strategic objectives.
International Organizations: The study of international organizations involves exploring the various global organizations, including the United Nations and WTO, that have a significant impact on international relations and military strategy.
Nuclear Weapons and International Security: The study of nuclear weapons and international security examines the role nuclear weapons play in global politics and how they shape national security and military strategy.
Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI): The study of the Strategic Defense Initiative examines the proposed US missile defense system, which was designed to intercept incoming nuclear missiles.
Cold War Strategy: The study of Cold War strategy focuses on the strategies and tactics used by the US and USSR during the Cold War to extend their influence globally.
Post-Cold War diplomacy: The study of post-Cold War diplomacy involves understanding the diplomatic efforts made by nations following the dissolution of the Soviet Union and communist bloc.
Asymmetric Warfare: Asymmetric warfare describes the tactics and strategies employed by non-state actors or states with lesser military capabilities to challenge and defeat superior military powers.
Cybersecurity: The study of cybersecurity covers the technology and strategies employed to protect against cyber-attacks and to establish a nation's digital intelligence.
Humanitarian Intervention: The study of humanitarian intervention examines the justifications and limits of international military action to prevent human rights abuses and protect civilian populations.
Arms Control and Disarmament: The study of arms control and disarmament examines the policy instruments implemented by states to limit or reduce the proliferation of nuclear, biological, and conventional weapons.
Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism: The study of terrorism and counter-terrorism analyzes the nature, causes, and impact of terrorism, as well as the measures put in place to prevent or respond to terrorist activity.
Intelligence and Espionage: The study of intelligence and espionage examines the roles of intelligence agencies in gathering and analyzing information and how espionage is used in contemporary military strategy.
Realism: This is a theory that suggests states seek power and security rather than cooperation and peace, as international relations are driven by self-interest.
Liberalism: It is based on the idea that cooperation and interdependence are essential elements of international relations, which relies on the promotion of democratic values and human rights.
Constructivism: It is a theory that believes the international system is shaped by social and cultural factors, rather than material or economic interests.
Marxism: This theory argues that international relations are shaped by the economic structure and class struggle rather than the state's interests.
Feminism: This theory argues that gender is essential to understanding international relations.
Critical theory: This theory adds that the existing power structures are socially constructed and, therefore, subject to change.
Post-positivism: This theory challenges the assumption that knowledge is objectively verifiable, suggesting that observations are always influenced by the observer's viewpoint.
Postmodernism: This theory suggests that the way people understand the world is shaped by cultural assumptions and historical context and argues that we should give up the pursuit of objective understanding.
World Systems Theory: It is based on the idea that the unequal distribution of resources globally affects power dynamics in international relations.
Neo-liberalism: This theory argues that international relations are better served by free trade, open markets, and private enterprise rather than the state.
Regionalism: It is based on the idea that common economic, political, or geographic interests bring together states to form trading blocs or political unions.
Globalism: This theory emphasizes the increasing interconnectedness of states and argues that we should focus on international cooperation.
Sovereignty-based theories: This theory emphasizes the importance of state sovereignty as a guiding principle in international relations.
Humanitarian intervention: This theory argues that states have a responsibility to intervene on humanitarian grounds in situations like genocide or ethnic cleansing.
Post-colonialism: This theory argues that the power dynamics in international relations are rooted in colonialism, and that colonial powers continue to exert influence on ex-colonies.
Nationalism: This theory emphasizes that states put their own interests above those of other states and prioritizes national security.
"It concerns all activities among states—such as war, diplomacy, trade, and foreign policy—as well as relations with and among other international actors."
"Other international actors, such as intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs), international legal bodies, and multinational corporations (MNCs)."
"There are several schools of thought within IR, of which the most prominent are realism, liberalism, and constructivism."
"International relations is widely classified as a major subdiscipline of political science."
"It also often draws heavily from other fields, including anthropology, economics, geography, law, philosophy, sociology, and history."
"International relations did not become a discrete field until 1919."
"...first offered as an undergraduate major by Aberystwyth University in the United Kingdom."
"...in response to the geostrategic concerns of the Cold War."
"The collapse of the Soviet Union and subsequent rise of globalization in the late 20th century."
"The scientific study of those interactions is called international studies, international politics, or international affairs."
"The collapse of the Soviet Union and subsequent rise of globalization."
"Itergovernmental organizations (IGOs), international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs), international legal bodies, and multinational corporations (MNCs)."
"...such as war, diplomacy, trade, and foreign policy."
"...particularly in North America and Western Europe."
"International relations is widely classified as a major subdiscipline of political science."
"...geostrategic concerns of the Cold War."
"It also often draws heavily from other fields, including anthropology, economics, geography, law, philosophy, sociology, and history."
"The collapse of the Soviet Union and subsequent rise of globalization."
"...war, diplomacy, trade, and foreign policy."