International Relations Notes

M.Zulqarnain Haidar

Nature Of IR
1. Dynamic: International relations is a dynamic field because it is constantly changing in
response to various factors, including changes in the global economy, technological advances,
geopolitical shifts, and social movements.

2. Interdisciplinary: International relations draws upon multiple academic disciplines

because it is a complex field that involves understanding a variety of political, economic, and
social factors that shape interactions between states.

3. Continuous interaction among states: International relations is concerned

with the interactions between states, which can take many different forms, including
diplomatic negotiations, trade agreements, military alliances, and cultural exchanges.

4. Defined in various ways: Because international relations involves such a wide range
of topics and perspectives, it can be defined in many different ways depending on the context
and the goals of the person or group defining it.

5. Generally based on struggle for power: Many scholars believe that

international relations is primarily based on the struggle for power between states, as states
seek to advance their own interests and influence the behaviour of other states. This
perspective is often referred to as realism.

6. Anarchic Nature: The international system is considered anarchic because there is no

central authority to regulate interactions between states, which means that states are
responsible for ensuring their own security and advancing their own interests.

7. States as primary object: International relations is primarily concerned with the

behaviour of states, including their interactions with other states,international organizations,
and non- state actors. States are seen as the most important actors in international relations
because they have the power to make decisions that affect the rest of the international system.

8. National interest as primary objective: States are driven by their national

interests, which can include economic prosperity, national security, and cultural influence. In
order to advance these interests, states will engage in a variety of diplomatic, economic, and
military actions, often at the expense of other states.
 Scope of IR
1) State system – This area of study is concerned with the structure and
nature of the international system, in which the state is the primary actor. It includes
the study of the roles, behaviour, and interaction of states in the international arena.
2) Relations between new states – This area of study focuses on the
challenges faced by newly formed states in the international system, such as
recognition, legitimacy, and security.
3) Conflict and cooperation – This area of study examines the causes
and dynamics of conflicts between states, as well as the conditions and factors that
facilitate cooperation between them.
4) General and diplomatic history – This area of study explores the
historical development of international relations and the evolution of diplomatic
practices, institutions, and norms.
5) Foreign policies – This area of study is concerned with how states
formulate and implement their foreign policies, including the factors that influence their
decision-making, such as domestic politics, ideology, and international norms.
6) Theoretical framework – This area of study focuses on the
development of theories and concepts to explain and understand international
relations, such as realism, liberalism, constructivism, and critical theory.
7) International and regional institutions – This area of study
examines the role and functions of international and regional organizations, such as the
United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and the European Union, in shaping the
international system and managing global issues.
8) Role of non-state actors – This area of study explores the roles and
influence of non-state actors, such as international NGOs, multinational corporations,
and transnational social movements, in shaping international relations.
9) Multinational corporation – This area of study focuses on the impact
of multinational corporations on the international political economy, such as their role
in the transfer of technology, capital, and production, and their influence on state
policies and regulations.
10) National interest – This area of study examines how states pursue their
national interests, such as security, wealth, and power, and how these interests are
defined, prioritized, and balanced against each other.
11) Power-related – This area of study focuses on the distribution of power in
the international system and how it affects state behavior, such as the balance of
power, hegemony, and polarity.
12) Alliances and groups – This area of – study explores the formation and
functions of alliances and groups, such as military alliances, economic blocs, and
regional organizations, in promoting cooperation and managing conflicts.
13) Wars and peace – This area of study examines the causes and
consequences of wars, such as nationalism, ideology, and power struggles, as well as the
conditions and strategies for achieving and maintaining peace, such as negotiation,
mediation, and peacekeeping.
14) International law and international issues – This area of study
focuses on the development and implementation of international law, such as human
rights, environmental protection, and disarmament, and how it affects state behavior
and global issues.
15) Ideologies – This area of study explores how ideologies, such as liberalism,
realism, Marxism, and feminism, shape international relations, including their
assumptions, values, and prescriptions for change.
16) Globalization – This area of study examines the processes and
consequences of globalization, such as economic integration, cultural homogenization,
and political fragmentation, and their impact on the international system and state
behavior.