Q-1 Meaning, Nature, and Scope of International Relations

Meaning and Definition

International Relations as a separate curriculum discusses international events and world issues
between states are discussed in the context of the international system.

Its main topics are the role of the state, international organizations, non-governmental organizations,
and multinational corporations. It is both an academic and government policy field, and it can be
either empirical or normative, as this branch of knowledge is used in both foreign policy analysis and
formulation.

There is no specific definition of international relations. Experts have defined it from their own
perspectives. There is also a problem with the definition of international relations. Many times
international relations are considered synonymous with world politics and international politics.

Definition of International Relations by Palmer and Perkins

Palmer and Perkins are the most important name in international relations because of their relevance
in terms of definition and subject matter In International relations.

According to them, International relations discuss the forces, pressures, and processes that control the
nature of human life, activities, and thought in all human and group relations in the world community.
That is, the discussion of international relations involves both political and non-political issues.

They defined International Relations in this way- “International Relations is the objective and
systematic study of international life in all its aspects”.

Definition of International Relations by Scholars

Many scholars define International relations differently. Here I have mentioned the most important
definitions of IR (International Relations) given by three eminent scholars.

Hans J Morgenthau

Hans J Morgenthau used the term International Politics and defined it as “International Politics include
analysis of political relations and problems of peace among nations…it “is struggle for and use of
power among nations”.

Goldstein

He opines that International Relations basically “concerns the relationship among the world’s
governments”. But he also argues that IR is not just a relationship between governments. IR needs to
be understood in terms of the activities of Non-state actors also.

Acceptable Definition

Finally, an acceptable definition of international relations is that international relations are a separate
curriculum that deals with the interrelationships of the various states of the world, non-State
organizations, international organizations, war and peace, disarmament, alliance formation, terrorism,
and the whole international system.

International relations have a profound effect on world politics, and the research and practice of the
subject matter range from contemporary to modern politics, the relationship between multiple states
and political ideologies on economic and global issues, mutual exchange, cooperation, and debate.

Nature of International Relations

The nature of a subject refers to the characteristics of that subject. In that sense, the natures of
International relations are in the following –

1. Changing Nature of International Relations

The nature of international relations Is dynamic. International relations is a thorough analysis of what
is happening in world politics.
The post-World War II period saw a huge shift in world politics. World politics was divided into two
poles, such as the NATO led by the USA and the Warsaw Pact led by the USSR. The collapse of the
Soviet Union in the 1990s led to a kind of single polarity in world politics.

However, economically growing Asian countries such as China, India, Singapore, Vietnam, and various
South American countries such as Brazil are all significantly influencing world politics. So it is clear that
international politics is moving towards multi-polar again.

The growing importance of non-state actors like NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations), MNCs
(Multinational Companies), etc, are also discussed in the field of International relations.

International Relations as an academic discipline discusses the changing pattern of the contemporary
world.

2. As an Interdisciplinary Subject

All social science subjects are interdisciplinary in nature. International Relations also is an
interdisciplinary field of study in which other disciplines in social science such as history, economics,
political science, philosophy, geography, culture, etc, are interconnected.

3. The state is the primary actor in IR

In the field of international politics, State is the sole and unitary actor. The state has always been a
major player in international relations. The state’s behavior as a major driving force in international
politics is also studied in international relations.

4. National Interest and power are the core of IR

The protection of national interests is the main goal of the state. With this goal in mind, the state
engages in relations with other states, and the national power of the state will be able to satisfy its
national interests.

Thus, it is seen that the issues of national interest and the role of national power in fulfilling those
interests are considered the core of IR.

5. Struggle for Power

According to Morgenthau, International politics is the struggle for power. I have already said that
power is the means of national interest. So power politics is the key theme of IR.

6. Continuous Interaction among Nation States

No state in the present world is self-sufficient. Every state is dependent on each other. Hence the need
for interconnectedness and that is possible only because of the interaction among different states.

International Relations also discuss the foreign policies of different states and how they behave with
each other.

7. Analytical and Empirical Study for Theory Building

International Relations uses analytical and empirical methods as well for theory building.

There are several theories in IR. For example, Idealism and Neo-Liberalism are the results of an
analytical study, and Realism and Neo-Realism are the results of an empirical study.

Scope of International Relations

The international community is the instrument of international relations. The unimaginable changes in
the international community over the past seventy years have drastically changed inter-state
relations.

International relations as a distinct curriculum has followed that trend in international society since the
1930s. For this reason, it is not possible to draw a permanent line on the scope of international
relations.
In the discussion of the nature of international relations, you already get the idea that the scope of
international relations. The scope of international relations is mentioned below-

1. Study of the Behavior of States in International Politics

Just as when a nation builds good relations for the sake of its overall development, it becomes the
subject of international relations, just as when there is a conflict of interest, bitterness develops among
itself and that too becomes part of international relations.

Thus international relations consist of both cooperation and conflict. International relations are also a
matter of forming alliances and dealing with the crisis.

2. Role of Non-State Actors in International Field

The content of international relations does not revolve only around the activities of the state and its
formal institutions. The state is not the only active actor in the international community. There are
many non-state actors whose activities affect international relations.

Multinational Corporations (MNCs), the European Economic Community, the Council for Mutual
Economic Assistance, NATO, SEATO, WARSAW PACT, ASEAN, the Organization of American States,
different terrorist organizations, and Religious Organizations are examples of the non-state elements
in international relations.

3. Question of War and Peace

Today, international relations are not free from the discussion of the determination to save mankind
from war. What was utopian in the past is becoming more and more realistic today.

The main purpose of establishing the United Nations is to ensure world peace and security. Large, and
regional powers are often exchanging views to create an atmosphere of peace and security. All kinds
of contacts for the welfare of various exchanges and globalization processes in cultural and other
fields are Gradually increasing. All this has become the subject of international relations.

1. Study of Foreign Policy

Another important issue in international relations is foreign policy. In the past, kings or prime ministers
or a few individuals played an active role in determining foreign policy.

Today, not only statesmen but also the legislature and many citizens are involved in the formulation of
foreign policy. The state of affairs or ideology in foreign policy and the ideological issues of the
respective regimes are important parts of international relations.

2. Study of Nation States

The ethnic composition, geographical location, historical background, religion, or ideologies of different
states are not the same at all. And because of all these differences, the relationship between different
states is different.

So international relations need to discuss all these differences in detail. When the social environment
is different, his reaction falls on international relations.

3. International Organizations

The role of national and international organizations in international relations is no less important.
People from different countries are involved with the US Congress of Industrial Organizations, the US
Federation of Labor, the French Labor Organization, and the Women’s International Democratic
Federation Engagement Organization.

The non-governmental organizations are also involved in the activities of the Coalition and its various
expert organizations, such as UNESCO, the International Labor Organization, and the World Health
Organization. Therefore, international relations also discusses all national and international
organizations.
 4. Global Environmental Issues

Issues of the environment are one of the key matters of international relations now. During the
1970s environmental politics only focused on the question of resource issues.

But from the 1990s the environmental politics focused on the issue of ‘Climate change’ brought
about through global warming. To overcome this issue, the UN Framework Convention on Climate
Change (FCCC), Kyoto Protocol in 1997, the Paris Agreement on climate change, etc, have been
initiated.

So, global environmental issues affect every state in the world. For the protection of this beautiful
world, all the states are trying their best to reduce the usage of greenhouse gasses and that is
why it is considered as the most important part of international relations.

5. Role of People in International Politics

The importance of public and public opinion in the international arena is also expanding rapidly.
The end of imperialism, from international, disarmament, political and economic, has inspired
movements and protests by the people of different countries. U.S. scientists, intellectuals-people
from different societies have demonstrated against the Vietnam War.

6. Role of the Third World

The third emergence in recent world politics has brought about qualitative change. Most people in the
world are third generation. In 1986, 101 countries participated in the Eighth Non-Alignment
Conference.

The growing role of non-aligned countries in building new international systems, easing tensions
between the East and the West, disarmament, ending colonial rule, etc. is significant.

Therefore, the role of the third world in world politics is also a relevant point of discussion in
international relations.

The scope of international relations is becoming wider as it discusses various issues of dynamic
nature. All the domestic policies that affect or are likely to affect other countries are now being
covered by international relations. International relations currently discuss various decision-making
processes.

In the past, these issues were not related to international relations. Therefore, it can be said that the
scope of international relations has expanded.

Importance of Purpose of the Study of International Relations

There is currently no doubt about the usefulness of the international relations lesson. From a broadly
constructive perspective, we can gain knowledge about how international relations will work, what
issues need to be eliminated or accepted and considered, and how friendship can be established
between different states.

International relations make people aware of important issues such as war and peace, mutual security,
disarmament, international law and trade, peaceful resolution of inter-state disputes, imperialism,
colonialism, national liberation movement, etc.

Conclusion

From the above discussion on Meaning Nature and Scope of International Relations, it can be
concluded that From the above discussion on Meaning Nature, and Scope of International Relations, it
can be concluded that from the past or the time of the ancient empires to modern times i.e. post-
World War II world politics and systems, globalization, the Soviet extinction or the famous Cold War
and the Third World system, and the international nuances that are still constantly changing and
circulating -------- That is why the nature of international relations, like economics, political science,
and sociology, is changing. This issue needs to be considered in light of this variability.