Introduction to international relation

What is International Relation?

 The term is also used to refer to a branch of Political Science which focuses on the study
of these interactions.• As an academic discipline, international relations encompasses a
wide range of academic fields, ranging from history to environmental studies, and there
are a number of areas of specific specialty, for academics who are interested in them.•
The concept of international relations on some level is probably quite old, given that
humans have been establishing governments and communicating with each other for
thousands of years.
 International Relations as a field of study covers the factors and processes that affect the
interactions among states and non-state actors across national boundaries• International
Relations is the study of conflict and cooperation by international actors, as furthered by
the development and testing of hypotheses about international outcomes.• International
relations refers to the collective interactions of the international community, which
includes individual nations and states, inter-governmental organizations such as the
United Nations, non-governmental organizations like Doctors Without Borders,
multinational corporations like Coca Cola and so forth.
 However, many people agree that IR truly began to emerge around the 15th century,
when people started exploring the world and interacting with other governments and
cultures.• Organizations like the Dutch East India company were among the first
multinational corporations, for example, while representatives of various European
governments met with foreign governments to establish trade agreements and to discuss
issues of mutual concern.
 International relations (IR) is the study of relationships between countries, including the
roles of States, Inter- governmental Organization (IGOs), International Non-
governmental Organization (INGOs), Non-governmental Organization (NGOs) and
Multinational Corporations (MNCs).• A strict definition of International Relations would
confine itself to the relationships between the worlds national governments, conducted by
politicians at the highest level. However, this is a far too simplistic and narrow
perspective of international relations.
 International Relations is not just a field of academic study, we all participate in and
contribute to International Relations on a daily basis. • Every time we watch the news,
vote in an election, buy or boycott goods from the supermarket, recycle our wine bottles,
we are participating in International Relations.• The decisions we make in our daily lives
have an effect, however small, on the world in which we live.
 At the same time, IR has a significant impact on our lives. Our daily lives are
increasingly international in their focus, improvements in communications and transport
technology mean we are constantly coming into contact with people, places, products,
 opportunities and ideas from other countries.• The study of International Relations
enables us to explain why international events occur in the manner in which they do and
gives us a greater understanding of world in which we live and work.
 International relations is a broad and complex topic both for countries engaged in
relationships with other nations, and for observers trying to understand those
interactions.• These relationships are influenced by many variables. They are shaped by
the primary participants in international relations, including national leaders, other
politicians, and nongovernmental participants, such as private citizens, corporations, and
nongovernmental organizations.• They are also affected by domestic political events and
nonpolitical influences, including economics, geography, and culture. Despite all of these
other influences, the primary focus of international relations is on the interactions
between nations.
 The term International Relations incorporate the vast and multicolored phenomena
composed of international conference, the comings and goings of diplomats, the signing
of treaties, the deployment of military forces, and flow of international trade as well as
burning issues of migrant worker, asylum seekers etc.• The term international relations
have been used by scholars in two different senses, narrow and broad.• In the narrow
sense it is taken as the study of official relations conducted by authorized leaders of the
state. These scholars have tried to exclude relations between businessmen, scientists, etc.
of various states from the purview of international relations.• In the wider or broader
sense the term international relations includes all intercourse among states and
movements of people, goods and ideas across national boundary.
History of Study of IR
 Historical starting point of modern IR—Treaty of Westphalia, 1648. Established the
principle of sovereignty as the foundation for relations among states• Up to the late 19th
century—limited focus on the study of IR in academic institutions and scholarly
literature• Most political theorists dealt with IR as a side-kick of domestic politics, or as
an appendix of other disciplines• Practice of principal aspects of IR (war, diplomacy,,
international trade) was widespread, but the scientific study of these matters was
disconnected and relied on different disciplinary aspects and methodologies
 Two important historical processes provided a strong impetus to the study of IR as an
academic discipline separate from other disciplines• Imperialism in the late 19th century
and early 20th century—helped globalize the international economy and solidified the
connection between economics and politics• World War I brought home an awareness of
the destructiveness of war, and its social, economic, and political implications. It also
highlighted the potential globalization of militarized conflict among states.
International Politics and International Relations:
 International Politics and International Relation are very often used in the same way both
by layman and scholars.• International politics is much narrower in its scope than
international relations.• International Politics deals mainly with the "official" actions of
 the government, being much narrower in scope.• International politics describe the
official political relation between government acting on behalf of their states but no doubt
that it is the core of International Relations.
 International Relation deals with not only the political relation of state but also deals with
non-political relation of state as well as various international organizations.• It is a study
of changing relationship between world communities in terms of state, international
organization, tribes, religious groups and other kind of groups.• International Relations
include interactions among the states, non-state associations and international
organizations and the details of these relations may be political, even non-political like;
social, economic, humanitarian etc.
 International Relations is a creation of the International Politics, which includes all type
of relations with one another, whether harmonious or conflicting, peaceful or war-like,
civilian or military, economic and others.• Because of that international Relations
becomes "inter-state relations" along with relations of state with other international
independent entity (like UN, NATO, EU, Red Cross etc.) which has the semi-or partially
sovereignty.• International relation studied under two different ways, one in a narrow and
another in a broad sense. In the first sense- only the study of official relations conducted
by authorized leaders of the state, which is mostly influenced by International Politics
and in the second sense it is supposed to all relations among states and all movements of
the people, goods and ideas all over the world, which is vast and different than the
International Politics.
Importance of International Relation
 To avoid world wars- The 20 century witnessed two world wars which was very danger
in their destruction of man and material. It is feared that a third world war would wipe out
the human race on earth if it comes. The study of IRS helps us to analyze and aims of the
states in the world affairs, the methods adopted for that attainment of these objects and
the factors which ultimately lead to their success or failure. The international
understanding helps us to analyze helps the all states to live boldly and confidently in the
world of diversity with peacefully.
 To understand defects of nationalism- Intense st of nationalism was one of the major
causes of 1 world war. • Because each state thinks of the entire problem in its own
national interest and forgot the wider international interest.• Bit IR teaches that the
nations must learn the basic factors of mutual trust and good will in order to stop any
possible conflicts.
 Nation sovereignty Out Of Date- The 21 century IR becoming more and more complex.•
Today each country has become dependent upon the other states for one or the other
things.• In this interdependent world we cannot think of any states having an isolated
life.• The concept of national sovereignty has now outdated in the context of international
co-existence.• Therefore each nation state has to surrender at least some of its nation
sovereignty. If it is not done international co-operation is impossible.
  Educative values- Today the modern weapons of warfare have become very sophisticated
and too much danger in a matter of few hours they can wipe out millions of population by
their atom bombs, germ warfare etc.• It warns about the threat to the world peace and
need to have precautionary measure. To educate the people in the interest of the very
survival of human race.• Better World Order- Study of the IR aims at better
understanding of problems of the world.• Any states which violate international peace
should be silenced by collective actions of all the states.
 It avoids international conflicts and ensures international peace – It helps to understand
the true importance of collective security and disagreement.• These all are making way
for the new concept of ―World village‖ or ―World Community‖• By the above all
reasons the importance of study of IR is becoming very popular in the present age,
because of interdependence of all the nation- states.
Scope of IR
 IR studies relations between states in their political and economic prospects primarily.
 IR covers the realm of 'foreign affairs' in all its dimensions.
 IR deals with the recording and studying of International History with the aim to find out
the basis of states' relations in the past.
 IR studies International Law in the context of how international rules define and govern
the relations between states.
 IR embodies its scope with the inclusion of not only states but also the non-state actors in
international relations.
 IR deals with the international events of:
 War
 Peace
 Nuclear world
 International political economy
 Globalization
 International institutions
 Conflicts among states
 Foreign policy and decision making
 National powers and interests
Actor of International Relations
 Types of actors –States –Non-state actors
 The central actor: the state• A state is composed of(a) a defined territory demarcated by
specific boundaries,(b) a defined population residing in that territory,(c) an integrated set
of institutions that is capable of making and enforcing laws over this population (internal
sovereignty), and(d) The recognition by other states of the sovereignty of that state
(external sovereignty).
  Non-state Actors• Actors that(a)share some but not all of the characteristics of states
(sub-state actors), or(b) incorporate two or more states in a new entity (e.g. international
organizations)• Non state Actors can be categorized on: – International Organizations –
Multinational Corporations – Non-governmental Organizations
 International Organizations• Institutions with formal membership and procedures• Only
states are members• Membership can be limited or universal• Purpose may be broad or
narrow
 Examples of IOs• Limited Membership, Narrow Purpose: Organization of Petroleum
Exporting Countries •Limited Membership, Broad Purpose: African Union •Universal
Membership, Narrow Purpose: Universal Postal Union •Universal Membership, Broad
Purpose: United Nations
 Multinational Corporations MNCs are organizations that seek to make a profit by
engaging in foreign production, marketing, finance, and staffing through directly
controlled affiliates located in several states.
 Examples of MNCs •Coca-Cola •Sony •Nike
 Non-Governmental Organizations• Broad category - Not states and non- profit• Includes
religions, charities, political activists, academic research communities, and even terrorist
groups.
 Examples of NGOs •Roman Catholic Church •International Red Cross •Greenpeace
•Doctors Without Borders
 Some other example of non-state actors• Transnational Interest Groups Red Cross,
Amnesty International, WWF• Religious Movements Catholic Church, Hindu and
Muslim Movement,• Ethnic Groups Kurds, Chechens, Kosovars, Tamils• Terrorist
Organizations al-Qaeda, Hamas, IRA, ETA, Shining Path etc.
Types of Interaction among Actors
All types of actors interact.• Harmony• Coordination• Cooperation• Conflict
 Harmony
Harmony is when actors interests coincide.• Independent pursuit of own interests returns
maximum output.• More common than often considered.• Example – India become strict
for the production of Small arms, availability of small arms decreases in Nepal.
 Coordination
Actors more interested in choosing the same strategy than in choosing any given
strategy.• Example – Human Right Protection• Two possibilities Pure coordination –
easier Coordination after investment - harder
 Cooperation
 Cooperation is mutual adjustment of policy.• Benefits both actors, but not always
equally.• Example – WHO eradication of smallpox
 Conflict
Results from mutually incompatible preferences.• Not always violent.• Example – 2004
US steel tariffs, EU retaliates on Florida oranges.• Another is situation of Syria and
NATO, or India and Pakistan
Factors Determining International Relations
 Main Factors: (i) Geographic;(ii) Economic;(iii) Demographic;(iv) Strategic Additional
Factors:(i) The historical-psychological, Sociological factor;(ii) The organizational-
administrative factor;(iii) The military factor
(i) Geographic: The location of a State, its climate and size are such factors which influence its
foreign policy in relation to other States.• The geographical position of a nation is the principal
factor conditioning its foreign policy - the principal reason why it must have a foreign policy at
all.• If the geographical position of a country is sound, and its climate is healthy, if it is rich in
food-stuffs and raw materials, it must follow an independent foreign policy.• As for instance, if a
state is strategically situated having natural barriers like seas, mountains, terrains, deserts etc., it
is not ordinarily vulnerable to foreign invasions. Land lock and sea locked countries have their
own policy and limitation too• If a country lacks in these geographical factors, it has to look to
the other States and has to follow course of neighboring States in her relation with them. It
cannot follow an independent foreign policy, of its own.• Thus it is clear that a country which
has unfavorable geographical positions cannot be able to keep itself isolated from the events
happening in its neighboring countries.
ii) Economic Factors: The economic factors hold a key-role in affecting the relation of a State
with the rest of the world.• The chief elements of economic factors which determine the position
of a country in relation to other states are (i) its self-sufficiency and (ii) its capacity to provide
food, clothing and shelters to its population.• A State may be purely agrarian or agricultural
being rich in its raw materials and food-stuffs only but lack in mineral resources as coal, iron etc.
and hence such States cannot be industrially advanced.• Again a State may be rich in mineral
resources which can establish huge centers of production and hence they may be industrially
advanced states.• But they also cannot pretend to be self-sufficient because they have to depend
upon other States for import of raw-materials without which their industries cannot run
successfully.• The great development in China is an illustration on this point which has become
one of the Five Big Powers of the world and one of the opponent of USA as a big economic
power too.
iii) Demographic factor: The demographic factor - (a) the size of the population and (b) ethnic
circumstances, also affect the international affairs to a great deal. • A nation becomes great and
powerful if it has both a growing large population and efficient industrial production. The India,
China Russia and the U.S.A. are treated to be big powers only because they have large
population and a market industrial development.• Thus the size of the population and equally the
huge and efficient industrial production determine the existence to which a nation can claim have
an independent foreign policy of its own.• Thus the size of population contributes to the
weakness of the country. Greater the size more weak economic position is of a country.• Another
demographic factor is the ethnic circumstances of a nation. Those countries having a single race
or nationality have no internal problems to solve. Such countries are quite free to pursue an
independent foreign policy but the countries which have various races or nationalities are bound
to face numerous internal problems.
iv) Strategic factors: The military strategy of a country is another important factor to determine
the foreign policy because is closely connected with the national security of the country.• If a
country has effective protective natural barriers, it seldom worries about its security, as for
instance British and Japan, surrounded by oceans on all sides and they enjoy the position of
islands.• Since they are surrounded by oceans on all sides, they have become able to have strong
navy to safeguard their frontiers from foreign attacks.• Besides seas and ocean, mountains,
rivers, snow, deserts, swamps and forests play significant roles in safeguarding the territories of
countries.• The Russia and Switzerland are among the few countries which have the most
secured frontiers. Both of these countries play important roles in their international affairs as
they are strengthened by the most effective protective natural barriers.• Countries which are
isolated from the disturbed areas of the world due to distance, remain actually unaffected by the
U.S.A. on the globe serves an example in this respect which remained unaffected by the
disturbances taking at some distant places.• Thus the distance of a country from the centers of
trouble spots is an important factors governing the strategic problems of that country.
Additional Factors:
i) The historical-psychological, sociological factors:• If a country has its bold history, and its
people are ready to sacrifice their blood for their motherland, its moral shall always be high.•
The future of a country cannot be assessed well if we do not study its to day’s affairs in light of
the yesterday’s history.• No country can pursue an independent foreign policy if the morale of its
people is not high and their national character is not strong enough.• Such elements are necessary
for adopting an independent policy by any country or nation.
ii) The organizational and administrative factor:• This factor constitutes the form of the
government within a political society and the attitude of the people towards it.• Many of majority
of foreign issues can be decided by the sound governmental organization, efficient public ad-
ministration of a country.• A government which has strong support from its people lasts long and
becomes efficient with lapse of time and becomes also able to deal with the foreign affairs
peacefully.• Thus, general support of the government and the efficient administration are very
important factors for the formulation of sound foreign policy.
iii) The Military factor:• Last but not the least significant factors is the military factor which
determines the foreign relations of a country.• This factor is considered from various aspects,
e.g., size of the armed forces, quality and morale of army men, quantity and variety of weapons
and equipment which determine the foreign relations also.