International relations is the study of the interaction between nation-states and non-governmental organizations in political, economic, environmental, cultural and security matters that transcend borders. The field of study encompasses many subfields, including global politics, history and culture, global economics, foreign policy, and international law and ethics. Our richly connected world demands professionals with skills in international relations.
A system of alliances that ensure no one country dominates the others, usually involving balancing and bandwagoning (aligning with either the hegemon or the challenger). The idea gained prominence in Europe after WWI as the League of Nations, the UN’s successor, and a central tenet of Kenneth Waltz’s neo-realism.
States with the power to make war against other countries or, more broadly, to enforce international law. This idea was promoted by the liberal theory of diplomacy and exemplified by Woodrow Wilson in the League of Nations and US foreign policy in the 20th century. It also drove the strategy of containment against the Soviet Union and, today, against ISIS.
The ability to influence other states through a system of naming and shaming, most notably by large human rights organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. This approach is a key tool in the international relations toolbox and, when used effectively, can help prevent states from violating their international obligations.
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