The study of international relations examines the interactions and dynamics between nation-states. It uses different theoretical lenses such as realism, liberalism and constructivism to analyze and explain patterns of state behavior and global phenomena. The field also encompasses the study of global challenges like climate change, terrorism and pandemics that cannot be managed by individual nations alone.
The foundation of international relations as a discipline emerged from the profound reevaluation of European political systems following World War I. It was a time when major European thinkers pondered the causes of the most disastrous war in history. The fields of peace research and international studies were established during this period. The Council on Foreign Relations began the journal Foreign Affairs in 1922, and universities departments of international politics were founded.
A belief that the world community should intervene in the internal affairs of a sovereign state to advance liberal aims. This type of intervention may take the form of imposing sanctions or adjusting trade regulations. It is controversial because it violates the principle of state sovereignty and can lead to increased conflict.
The premise that the international system must be reformed to make it more democratic and less dependent on coercive power. Advocates of the new order believe that it must include both a General Assembly made up of all states (originally 51, now 192 as of 2007), with equal votes and a Security Council consisting of five permanent members—the victors of World War II—who have the right of veto—plus ten rotating member countries with non-veto rights.
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