International relations (IR) is a broad field that examines global issues, state interactions and the relationships between nations. It is a multidiscipline that draws from other disciplines such as geography, history, political science, law, sociology and philosophy. IR scholars use different theoretical frameworks, including realism, liberalism and constructivism to analyze patterns of state behavior and global phenomena.
The study of IR explores complex global challenges like conflict resolution, climate change and trade agreements. These are often influenced by regional and domestic factors. The field requires a deep understanding of the ways in which political, economic and cultural influences affect how states interact with each other and with each other’s citizens. This is why many IR students focus their degree on a specific area of interest, such as security studies, environmental sustainability or regional studies like the Middle East.
One major theme in IR is how communication and cooperation can help solve international conflicts without resorting to violence. The United Nations provides an example of how countries can come together across their differences in order to find common ground. Other examples include NGOs that engage in ‘naming and shaming’ governments through public protests, and treaties that regulate the use of force.
The core of IR is the idea that sovereignty is the power of the state to manage its territory, but it also includes sovereign obligations toward other states and individuals. This notion has been challenged throughout world history, but it remains an essential tenet of the discipline.