Meaning and Nature of International Relations

In the very beginning of the civilized world the states were mutually interlinked. In modern times the
world has greatly shrunk as a result of scientific and technological development. As a result, events
in one part of the world have an immediate impact on the rest of the world., Therefore the states
maintain regular relations with other states of the world. As an alone individual is nothing similarly,
a state without other state is nothing and in the present complex life, a state without relations with
other cannot survive. Materialistic needs, religion, economic requirements, industrialization, security
matters and trade etc. brought the states together. Inter-states wars yielded post-war treaties,
economic and friendly agreements, and international organizations. All these things are studied by
international relations.
International relations are an old subject and can be traced in the old tribes. It was utilized by the
Greeks and Romans in their relations. As a regular subject, international relations took start in the
World War-I era and specially because of the second World War, Cold War between USA and
USSR, disintegration of USSR, New World Order (NWO) of USA, global role of North Atlantic
Treaty Organization (NATO) emergence of international organization and diplomatic relations etc.
developed this subject to great extent.
International Relations is the study and practice of political relationships among the world’s nations,
especially their governments. International relations mean interactions between nongovernmental
groups, such as multinational corporations or international organizations such as the OIC or the
United Nations (UN).
International relations are 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, oilier politicians, and nongovernmental participants, such as private
citizens, corporations, and nongovernmental organizations. They are also affected by domestic
political events and non-political influences, including economics, geography, and culture. Despite
all of these other influences, the primary focus of international relations is on the interactions
between nations.
To understand these interactions, experts look at the world as a system of nations whose actions are
guided by a well-defined set of rules. They call this system the interstate system. The interstate
system has existed for less than 500 years and is based on a common understanding of what a nation
is and how it should treat other nations. But recent changes in technology and international norms
have caused some scholars to question whether this system will continue in the future or be replaced
by some other system of relationships that is not yet known.
From September 1814 to June 1815 representatives of the major European powers convened in
Vienna, Austria, to reorganize Europe following the defeat of French emperor Napoleon I. The
Congress of Vienna, as this conference became known, was a major event in the history of
international relations.
Until the 1970s the study of international, relations cantered mainly on international security studies
i.e., questions of war and peace. Scholars believed a nation’s military power was the most important
characteristic in determining how that nation would relate to others. As a result, scholars focused on
the relative military strength of one nation compared to others, alliances and diplomacy between
nations, and the strategies nations used to protect their territories and further their own interests.
Since the 1970s the importance of economics in international relations has increased and the study of
international political ‘economy has received increased attention. The primary force driving the
interaction between nations is economic, not military. There is trade and economic relations among
nations, especially the political cooperation between nations to create and maintain international
organizations such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
In both security studies and international political economy, experts strive to explain patterns of
conflict and cooperation among nations. Conflicts among nations are expected since their political
and economic aims and interests often depart. Cooperation does not refer to the absence of conflict
but to the ability of nations to peacefully resolve their differences in a way that is acceptable to all
parties involved. When cooperation fails, conflicts often escalate into coercion and ultimately war.
The term International” was used for the first time by Jermy Bentham in the later part of the 18th
century with regard to the laws of nations. Consequently, the term “IR” was used to define the
official relations between sovereign states.
The economic, social. cultural. political and military relations amongst the state of the world may
also be included in the preview of the subject. Thus, there are broadly two views regarding the
meaning of international relations.
Narrow view: According to this view ‘IR’ includes only “The official relations conducted by the
authorized leaders of the states.” According to this view other relations do not fall in the domain of
IR’
Broad view: Some scholars have taken a broad view of international relations, and included apart
from the official relations between states, all intercourse among states and all movements of people,
goods, and ideas across the national frontiers within its preview.
Scope of International Relations
International relations topic cover diplomacy, treaties, question of war and peace, global happenings,
commercial, cultural, educational. social, religious international alliances and international
organizations etc. The scope of international relations can be discussed.
Establishment of League of Nations: In modern time the field. of the study was widened with the
establishment of the League of Nations in 1920, after the First World War due to the sincere efforts
of Woodrow Wilson of USA. The establishment of the League of Nations contributed to the study of
international relations. Therefore, the study of international organizations and international
institutions was also included in its preview.
Emergence of USA and USSR as a Superpowers: Emergence of USA and USSR as superpowers
further widened the scope of international relations. After the second World War the world
transformed into bipolarity from multi-polarity with USA and USSR flourishing in international
affairs. Both the superpowers conducted international relations according to their own interests.
Establishment of United Nations: After the end of World War II various international conferences
were held. Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin met at Tehran and Yalta. They agreed in principle to
form a worldwide international organization for peace loving states. Therefore, an acceptable charter
was signed on 26th June 1945. United Nations is a global organization of independent and sovereign
states and its main aim is “to maintain international peace and security.” The establishment of the
UN also contributed to the study of international relations to great extent.
Emergence of USA as a Superpower (New World Order). The end of USSR as a superpower in Dec,
1990 changed the whole world and USA emerged as a superpower that adopted international politics
in such a way that majority of the nations of the world visualized themselves as the subjected
mission of the single power. The Gulf War of 1991 paved the way for USA to emerge as a
superpower that resulted in the USA’s N.W.O under that USA became the master of the world
politics. Emergence of USA as a superpower also extended the scope of international relations.
Technological Development: Technology exercises profound influence on the power base of a state
as well as the course of international relations. Technology at least in three spheres, industrial,
communication and military, has greatly influenced the power of the state. Due to technological
development the world has become a global village. Technological development also extended the
scope and value of international relations.
Approaches to IR
Approach is a way of looking at and then explaining a particular phenomenon. The perspective may
be broad enough to cover a vast area like World as a whole, or it may be very small embracing an
aspect of local, regional, national, or international politics. Please read full article of approaches of
international relations studies i.e., traditional approaches and modern approaches.