International relations is a broad field that encompasses the study of foreign policy, diplomacy, and the political development of different nations. It is classified as a major multidiscipline of political science, along with comparative politics, political methodology, and theoretical political science, and it often draws from other disciplines like history, economics, law, and philosophy. There are a few major schools of thought in IR: realism, liberalism, and constructivism.
One of the top benefits of studying IR is the opportunity to develop your cultural sensitivity. This is especially important when working in global business or international diplomacy. It allows you to collaborate effectively with people from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives, which is vital in our ever-globalizing world. It may also open up new opportunities for you in your personal life and career.
IR is generally believed to have emerged after World War I, when European intellectuals pondered the causes and consequences of this disastrous war. These intellectuals generally agreed that the particular system of sovereign equality of nations promoted by European colonialism was unsustainable, a view reinforced by decolonization in the aftermath of the war.
Among the early practitioners of the discipline was Alfred Stepan, who developed the “grand theory” of international relations, a view that states possess a natural right to use force against other states when necessary, and that their domestic policies reflect this natural right. This theory has a strong influence on the international system today, with many states implementing domestic policies consistent with the theory and establishing institutions such as the United Nations that support its principles.
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