POLITICAL SCIENCE II MARIAN YIN-PASIYA NABIA

ASSIGNMENT 218025815

QUESTION; What is International Relations? Discuss any two approaches to the

understanding of International Relations

International Relations is a diverse degree which allows you to investigate the complexities

of relationships between different countries and apply this to the world of work. International

Relations attempts to explain the inter relations of states in global interstate system, and it also

attempts to explain the interactions of others whose behavior originates within one country and is

targeted toward members of other countries( Department of International Relations, University of

Wisconsin-Madison).The Department of International Relations of the San Francisco State

University defines International Relations as one concerned with relations across boundaries of

nation-states. International Relations is also defined as the study of an international system

composed of territorial states which acknowledge no superior authority over matters which they

consider of vital interest. Exceptional economic integration, unprecedented threats to peace and

security, and an international focus on human rights and environmental protection all speak to the

complexity of international relations in the 21st century. The study and practice of International

Relations is interdisciplinary in nature, blending the fields of economics, history, and political

science to examine topics such as human rights, global poverty, global ethics, security and the

political environment. This means the study of international relations must focus on

interdisciplinary research that addresses, anticipates, and ultimately solves public policy problems.

International Relations is becoming increasingly relevant as the world grows more and more

interconnected through trade and commerce, migration, the internet and through social media, and

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concerns about pressing global problems. It has a broad purpose in contemporary society as it

seeks to understand; the origins of war and the maintenance of peace, the nature and exercise of

power within the global system, the changing character of state and non-state actors who

participate in international decision making. Ultimately, the area of International Relations

depends on the goals or objectives of the organization. Historically, the establishment of treaties

between nations served as the earliest form of international relations. The study and practice of

international relations is valuable because;

1) It promotes successful trade policies between nations

2) It allows nations to cooperate with one another, pool resources and share information as a way

to face global issues that go beyond any particular country or region. Contemporary global

issues include pandemics, terrorism and the environment.

3) It advances human culture through cultural exchanges, diplomacy and policy development.

THEORIES AND PRINCIPLES OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

International Relations may be an offshoot of political science, but this field of study is

exceptionally in-depth in its own right. As our global society evolves and expands, international

relations will evolve and expand along with it as we continue to explore new and exciting ways to

link our complex world. Traditional dimensions of international relations related to international

peace and prosperity include topics such as international diplomacy, arms control, and alliance

politics. Contemporary studies in international relations, on the other hand include topics such as

international political economics, environmental politics, refugee and migration issues, and human

rights. The study of international relations involves theoretical approaches which are a set of ideas

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 aimed at explaining how the international system works based on solid evidence. Some theories

of international relations include;

1) Marxism; It focuses on the economic sector instead of the military-political one. Its analysis

the relation between the base (modes of production) and the superstructure (political

institutions)

2) Liberalism; It is both empirical and normative. They seek to address problems of achieving

lasting peace and cooperation in international relations, and the various methods that could

contribute to their achievement.

3) Realism; They emphasize on the role of nation-state and make broad assumptions that these

nation-states are motivated by national interests disguised as moral concerns.

4) Feminism; They take a look at how international politics affects and is affected by both men

and women and also at how the core concepts that are employed within the discipline of

international relations. Basically, they view international relations through the lens of gender

and equality.

REALISM

Focuses on the notion that states work to increase their own power relative to other states. The

theory of realism states that the only certainty in the world is power; therefore, a powerful state

via military power which they consider as the most important and most reliable form of power will

always be able to outlast its weaker competitors. Self-preservation is a major theme in realism, as

states must always seek power to protect themselves. In realism, the international system drives

states to use military force. Although leaders may be moral, they must not let morality guide their

foreign policy. Furthermore, realism recognizes that international organizations and law have no

power and force and their existence relies solely on being recognized and accepted by select states.

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SCOPE OF REALIST THEORY;

- STATISM is the centrepiece of realism. It involves two claims; the state is the pre-eminent

actor and all other actors in world politics are of lesser significance and state ‘sovereignty’

signifies the existence of an independent political community, one that has juridical

authority over its territory. This is flawed on empirical and normative grounds.

- The primary objective of all states is survival; this is the supreme national interest to which

all political leaders must adhere.

- No other state or institution can be relied upon to guarantee your survival. Self-help is not

an inevitable consequence of the absence of a world government; it is a logic that states

have preferred collective security system or forms of regional security communities in

preference to self-help.

CRITICISM OF REALIST THEORY;

1. It gives a lot of importance to military power and ignores other forces e.g. ethics, economic

power.

2. Considers International Relations in terms of maximizing power, noncooperation and wars.

3. Focuses on already constructed realities and does not think critically.

CONCLUSION;

Despite its critics, it is the most dominant theory used to explain the nature of international

relations.

1. It gives a more realistic and practical approach as compared to liberalism to under

international relations.

2. It gives complete description and explanation of international events unlike liberalism

which is restricted to only morals and ethics.

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 3. It helps in predicting human nature and behavior which helps in predicting possible

outcomes of cooperation among states.

LIBERALISM

Recognizes that states share broad ties, thus making it difficult to define singular

independent national interests. The theory of liberalism in international relations therefore involves

the decreased use of military force. Liberal approaches to the study of international relations, also

referred to as theories of complex interdependence, claim that the consequences of military power

outweigh the benefits and that international cooperation is in interest of every state. It also claims

that exercising economic power over military power has proven more effective. Although the

liberal theory of international relations was dominant following World War I while President

Woodrow Wilson promoted the League of Nations and many treaties abolishing war, realism came

back into prominence in the Second World War and continued throughout the Cold War.

SCOPE OF LIBERAL THOUGHT;

- Sociological Liberalism – It highlights the transitional non-governmental ties between

societies such as communication between individuals and between groups.

- Institutional Liberalism – it underscores the importance of organized cooperation between

states. Institutions alleviates problems concerning lack of trust between states and they

reduce states’ fear for each other.

- Interdependence Liberalism- It pays attention to the economic ties of mutual exchange and

mutual dependence between people and governments. It also argues that a high division of

labor in the international economy increases interdependence between states, and that

discourages and reduces violent conflict between states

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 - Republican Liberalism – It is built on the claim that liberal democracies are more peaceful

and law-abiding than their political systems

CRITICISM OF LIBERALIST THEORY;

1. Transnational cooperation is needed to resolve common problems.

2. Growing integration increases the ‘cost’ of withdrawal from cooperative ventures.

3. Pluralism of actors

COMPARISON OF REALISM AND LIBERALISM IN INTERNATIONAL

RELATIONS

REALISM LIBERALISM

1. States are the only actors at 1. States are not the only actors. E.g.

international level. individuals, international

2. Realists believe in maximizing organizations.

military power in order to achieve 2. Liberalists believe that security can

peace and security. be achieved by cooperation, mutual

3. According to realists international gaining, applying moral/ethical

system is anarchic in nature. principles.

3. According to liberalists

international system is community

based.

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