Why Study International
Relations
An Introduction to the Importance of International Relations
Objective of Session
Identify the principal disciplinary contributions to the study of
International Relations
Examine the disciplinary and interdisciplinary corpus of theoretical
frameworks, associated with International Relations.
YouTube Video
• Watch this video for an introduction to International Relations:
• What is International Relations?
Slide 2: Introduction to International Relations
• International Relations (IR) is the study of
The interactions between nations
Including the roles of states
Intergovernmental organizations
Non-governmental organizations
And multinational corporations.
Slide 3: Definition and Scope of International Relations
Definition:
• The scope of IR includes
• Diplomacy
• International law
• International organizations
• International political economy
• And the study of global issues such as human rights, environmental
sustainability, and conflict resolution.
Slide 4: Importance of Studying International Relations
Definition:
• Studying IR is important for understanding global issues,
• Promoting peace and security,
• Fostering international cooperation,
• And addressing challenges such as climate change, terrorism, and
economic inequality.
Slide 5: Understanding Global Issues
• Understanding Global Issues
Global issues refer to problems that transcend national borders
And require collective action to address
Examples include climate change, pandemics, poverty, and human
rights violations.
Slide 6: Diplomacy and International Cooperation
• Diplomacy and International Cooperation
Diplomacy is the practice of conducting negotiations between
representatives of states.
It is a key tool for managing international relations and fostering
cooperation on global issues.
Slide 7: Key Concepts in International Relations
• Key concepts in IR include
• Sovereignty
• Power
• National interest
• Balance of power, and international law.
• These concepts help explain the behavior of states and other actors in
the international system.
Slide 8: Sovereignty and Power
• Sovereignty and Power
Sovereignty is the authority of a state to govern itself without
external interference.
Power refers to the ability of a state or actor to influence others and
achieve its goals.
Slide 9: International Law and Organizations
Definition:
International law consists of rules and principles that govern the
relations between states.
International organizations, such as the United Nations, play a key
role in promoting cooperation and resolving conflicts.
Slide 10: Historical Evolution of International Relations
• Historical Evolution of International Relations
• Definition:
• The study of IR has evolved over time, with key developments
including the Treaty of Westphalia (1648), the establishment of the
League of Nations (1919), and the creation of the United Nations
(1945).
Slide 11: Major Theories in International Relations
• Major Theories in International Relations
Major theories in IR include
Realism,
Liberalism,
Constructivism,
Marxism,
Post-colonialism.
These theories offer different perspectives on how the international
system operates.
Slide 12: Realism and Liberalism
• Realism and Liberalism
Realism emphasizes the role of power and national interest in
international relations.
Liberalism focuses on cooperation
International institutions, and the promotion of good governance
and human rights.
Slide 13: Constructivism and Critical Theories
• Constructivism and Critical Theories
Constructivism examines
How ideas, norms, and identities shape international relations.
Critical theories challenge traditional ir theories by highlighting issues
such as inequality, exploitation, and marginalization.
Slide 14: Interdisciplinary Nature of International Relations
• Interdisciplinary Nature of International Relations
• IR is an interdisciplinary field that draws on political science,
economics, sociology, history, law, and geography to understand
complex global issues.
Slide 15: Integration with Political Science, Economics, and Sociology
• Integration with Political Science, Economics, and Sociology
• Definition:
• IR integrates concepts from political science (e.g., governance),
economics (e.g., trade), and sociology (e.g., social movements) to
analyze international phenomena.
Slide 16: Contemporary Issues in International Relations
• Contemporary Issues in International Relations
• Contemporary issues in IR include
• Globalization
• Regional conflicts
• Extremism
• Climate change
• Migration, and Cyber security.
Slide 17: Global Security and Humanitarian Crises
• Global Security and Humanitarian Crises
Global security involves protecting states from external threats.
Humanitarian crises refer to situations where large numbers of
people are affected by disasters or conflicts.
Slide 18: International Economic Interdependency
• International Economic Interdependency
Economic interdependency refers to the interconnectedness of
national economies through trade investment, and financial flows.
It highlights the importance of cooperation for economic stability.
Slide 19: Alternatives to Conflict and Peacebuilding
• Alternatives to Conflict and Peacebuilding
• Definition:
• Alternatives to conflict include diplomacy, mediation, negotiation, and
peacebuilding efforts aimed at addressing root causes of conflict and
promoting sustainable peace.
Slide 20: Roles of State and Non-State Actors
• Roles of State and Non-State Actors
• Definition:
• State actors include sovereign states with political authority. Non-
state actors include intergovernmental organizations (e.g., UN), non-
governmental organizations (e.g., Red Cross), multinational
corporations (e.g., Google), and transnational advocacy networks.
Slide 21: Future of International Relations
• Future of International Relations
The future of IR will be shaped by emerging challenges such as
technological advancements, climate change impacts, shifting power
dynamics among states (e.g., rise of China, India and other powers),
evolving norms around human moralities protection.
Class Activity
• Group discussion on the importance of studying International
Relations.
