"International Relations (IR) are the interactions among sovereign states."
The study of interactions between nations and states. This topic covers international political behavior, diplomacy, and war and conflict.
State sovereignty: The concept that states have supreme power and authority within their own borders.
International organizations: Structures that facilitate cooperation and coordination among states, such as the United Nations, NATO, or the European Union.
World systems theory: A perspective that focuses on the global economic and political relationships that shape the world, including the role of imperialism and colonialism.
Theories of international relations: Different viewpoints on how the world works, including realism, liberalism, constructivism, and feminism.
International law: The body of rules and principles that govern relations between states and other international actors.
Diplomacy: The practice of conducting negotiations and representing states in the international arena.
Globalization: The increasing interconnectedness of the world through economic, political, and cultural exchange.
War and conflict: The study of the causes and consequences of war, including international humanitarian law and peacekeeping efforts.
International security: The measures states take to protect themselves and their citizens from external threats, such as terrorism or nuclear proliferation.
Foreign policy analysis: Examining how states formulate and implement policies that affect their relations with other states.
Human rights: The protection of fundamental liberties and freedoms for individuals, including issues of equality, justice, and democracy.
Transnational actors: Non-state actors and global movements, including multinational corporations, non-governmental organizations, and social movements.
Development and global governance: The ways in which economic development initiatives and international institutions shape global power dynamics and address issues such as poverty and inequality.
Political economy: The study of the interactions between politics and economics, including trade, investment, and economic systems.
Regionalism: The study of relations within specific regional contexts, such as the Middle East, Latin America, or the Asia-Pacific region.
Realism: This theory asserts that states act on the basis of their own interests, without considering the effects of their behavior on other states. Realists emphasize the role of power and security in international relations.
Liberalism: This theory emphasizes cooperation, peace, and diplomacy between states. Liberals believe that international institutions, norms, and rules can help promote peace and stability.
Constructivism: This theory emphasizes the role of ideas, social norms, and culture in shaping international behavior. Constructivists believe that the meaning of international events is constructed through social interaction between states and non-state actors.
Marxism: This theory argues that economic interests and class struggle are the primary drivers of international behavior. Marxists emphasize the role of imperialism, unequal trade relations, and exploitation in the global system.
Feminism: This theory emphasizes the role of gender in shaping international relations. Feminists argue that traditional concepts of power and security are shaped by patriarchal norms and that the inclusion of women's perspectives can promote more peaceful and cooperative relationships between states.
Critical theory: This theory emphasizes the role of power and ideology in shaping international relations. Critical theorists critique the dominant narratives and structures that perpetuate inequality and oppression in the global system.
Postmodernism: This theory challenges traditional assumptions about objective reality and the concept of the state. Postmodernists argue that the world is fragmented and that the meanings of events and relationships are constantly changing.
Neoconservatism: This theory emphasizes the use of military force and unilateral action by states to promote democracy and human rights around the world. Neoconservatives criticize realist and liberal approaches for being too passive and not assertive enough.
"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."