Overview

International Relations (IR) is the study of how countries interact. It’s the “Wild West” of politics because there is no world government to enforce laws.

Core Idea

The core idea is anarchy. Not chaos, but the absence of a higher authority. States must look out for themselves.

Formal Definition

Major theories:

  • Realism: States are selfish actors obsessed with power and security. War is inevitable. (Machiavelli, Hobbes).
  • Liberalism: States can cooperate through trade and institutions (UN, EU) to create peace. (Kant).
  • Constructivism: Identity and ideas matter. Friends and enemies are social constructs.

Intuition

  • Realism: A game of Risk. Trust no one. Build a big army.
  • Liberalism: A global market. Everyone gets rich if we trade and sign treaties.
  • Constructivism: High school. Who is “cool” or a “bully” depends on social perception.

Examples

  • Cold War: A bipolar system (USA vs. USSR) defined by balance of power and nuclear deterrence (MAD).
  • European Union: A liberal project to stop war by integrating economies.
  • Globalization: The increasing interconnectedness of the world.

Common Misconceptions

  • Misconception: The UN is a world government.
    • Correction: It has no army and little power. It’s a forum for discussion, dependent on member states.
  • Misconception: Democracies don’t go to war.
    • Correction: “Democratic Peace Theory” says they don’t fight each other, but they fight plenty of wars against non-democracies.
  • Geopolitics: How geography influences politics (resources, borders).
  • Diplomacy: The art of negotiation.
  • Sovereignty: The absolute authority of a state within its borders.

Applications

  • Foreign Policy: Deciding whether to sign a trade deal or impose sanctions.
  • Conflict Resolution: Ending civil wars.

Criticism and Limitations

  • Eurocentrism: IR theory is heavily based on European history (Westphalian system) and may not apply to the Global South.

Further Reading

  • The Tragedy of Great Power Politics by John Mearsheimer
  • The End of History and the Last Man by Francis Fukuyama