International Relations: Definition and Meaning

International Relations are the complex connections that exist between all of the world's independent states. According to Aristotle, since humans are social animals by nature, no state can afford to exist in isolation. Political science's field of international relations focuses on the analysis of interstate relations, nation-state foreign policies, and the institutions and systems that enable interstate interaction.

The study of international relations covers a wide range of topics, including globalisation, human rights, economic development, intervention, regional and global peace and security, international organisations, nuclear proliferation, international financial relations, and international trade relations.

What is the Meaning of International Relations?

International relations is the study of the interactions between nations, as well as between states and various subnational institutions i.e., bureaucracies, political parties, and interest groups. It has connections to many other academic fields, including political science, geography, history, economics, law, sociology, psychology, and philosophy.

Definitions

Following are some of the most accepted definitions of international relations:

According to Hartman, “the process through which nations adapt their national interests to those of other states is the core of the study of international relations.”

According to Palmer and Perkins, “the state system is primarily the focus of international politics.”

According to Sprout & Sprout, “international politics refers to the interactions and relationships between separate political groups that involve some form of opposition, resistance, or conflict.”

Transformation of International Relations

The following are the changes in the nature of International Relations −

• The context and nature of international relations have changed significantly since the Second World War, with public opinion playing an important role in decision-making.

• Nuclear weapons have replaced the balance of power with the balance of terror, and the jet age has brought all government leaders into direct contact.

• Hotline communications between Washington and Moscow keep world leaders in constant touch.

• Decolonization has resulted in the emergence of a large number of sovereign states, the disintegration of the Soviet Union has created 15 members of the United Nations, and four small countries have been admitted to the UN.

• The US has become the supreme monolithic power, while the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) has changed with the dismemberment of one of its founders.

Scope: International Relations

The following are the major scopes of the International Relations −

• International relations have been expanding since the study of law and diplomatic history.

• The Second World War sparked area studies and strategic foreign policy, and the United Nations encouraged post-war restructuring.

• Cooperation and conflict became important, and new topics like ideology and disarmament took precedence.

• Contemporary international relations encompass diplomatic history, international politics, international organisation, international law and area studies.

• The state system is undergoing modifications, a technological revolution has taken place, and new states of Asia and Africa are playing increasingly important roles.

• The scope of international relations at the end of the twentieth century has become vast, with economic relations, the role of international institutions, and international terrorism being a cause of concern.

• MNCs are also important non-state actors of international relations.

Approaches: International Relations

The following are the approaches of International Relations −

Traditional Approaches

The study of politics and interstate relations is prioritised in the state-dominated field of international politics. It is primarily concerned with their political and official interactions rather than international relations, and up until the 1950s, it was mostly recognised and studied as international politics. Realism and Idealism are the two most significant variations of the conventional approach to international relation.

• Realism − According to the Realism School, the core of all international affairs is the battle for power. Realists like Morgenthau do not value morals or means very highly. For them, the pursuit of the national interest necessitates the use of force.

• Idealism − The Idealism School holds that human beings are inherently virtuous. On the other hand, idealists believe that reason, education, and science may help people achieve the objective of world peace.

Neo-Realism

A recent method for studying international relations is neo-realism, commonly referred to as "structural realism." It believes that might is right in a system of Hobbesian (full of strife) nature, with the great powers engaged in permanent rivalry. The current structure is anarchical, with powerful states most interested in trying to prevent others from improving relative capabilities. Neo-Realism also emphasizes the importance of the nation-states in world politics, but also the complexity of the international system, which is further compounded by international terrorism, religious war-fares, civil wars and competitive multinational corporations.

Conclusion

The study of inter-state relations between independent nations is known as international relations. It focuses on how states modify their national interests to align with those of other states. International relations, which has a broader focus and include political, economic, geographic, legal, and cultural interactions, are distinct from international politics, which solely deal with official and diplomatic relations between countries.

International relations also include the functions of universal participants like the United Nations, IMF, World Bank, WTO, inter-state actors like the SAARC, ASEAN, and non-state actors like multinational firms, NGOs. Different methodologies have been used by academics to investigate international relations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the father of international relations?

Hans Morgenthau is recognized as the father of the realist theory of international relations.

What are the types of international relations?

There are several varieties of international relations. It includes commercial agreements, conflicts, multistate human rights organisation activities, international enterprises, and other kinds.

What is international relations basics?

International relations are commonly regarded as significant sub-discipline of political science, alongside comparative politics and political theory. However, it frequently makes significant use of ideas from other disciplines, including as anthropology, economics, geography, law, philosophy, sociology, and history.