SCOPE OF IR

IR is a field of knowledge does not possess a fixed extension in space but is a constantly changing focus
of data and methods that happen at the moment to be useful in answering an identifiable set of
questions. The boundaries that supposedly divide one field of knowledge from another are not fixed
walls between separate cells of truth but are convenient devices for arranging known facts and methods
in manageable segments for instruction and practice. But the focus of interest are constantly shifting
and these divisions tend to change with them, although more slowly because mental habits alter slowly
and the vested interests of the intellectual world are as resistant to change as those of the social world.

However, Goldstein and Pavehouse in his book “International Relations” write, “The field of
international relations concerns the relationships among the world’s government. But these
relationships cannot be understood in isolation. They are closely connected with other actors (such as
intergovernmental org., multinational corporations, and individuals); with other social structures
(including economics, culture, and domestic politics); and with geographical and historical influences.
These elements together power the central trends in IR today-globalization.”

Another merit as well as demerit of this discipline is that it has no boundaries of its scope. It is merit in
the sense of provision of absolute opportunity to man to make research on the daily changing
international relations. It is demerit as the discipline fails to give itself a concrete shape and outline. But
still keeping in view the aspects studied in the International Relations till now, we will try to elaborate its
scope. Following points will prove helpful in this regard;
 IR studies relations between states in their political and economic prospects primarily.
 IR covers the realm of 'foreign affairs' in all its dimensions.
 IR deals with the recording and studying of International History with the aim to find out the basis of
states' relations in the past.
 IR studies International Law in the context of how international rules define and govern the relations
between states.
 IR embodies its scope with the inclusion of not only states but also the non-state actors in
international relations.
 IR deals with the international events of;
 War
 Peace
 Nuclear world
 International political economy
 Globalization
 International institutions
 Conflicts among states
 Foreign policy and decision making
 National powers and interests
STUDY OF STATE SYSTEM and their relations: The operation of state system and the relation among states
have always made international politics possible and constituted the basis subject matter of ir.these would
continue to b a primary area in the study of discipline. There are two kinds of thinking about the state and the
states-system in IR. One strand examines the history of thought about the purpose of the state and the states-
system as political communities. Another explains the causes of events and transformations in the state and the
states-system. These two approaches to studying the state largely translate to (1) political theory about the state
and the states-system, and (2) social scientific theories of the state and the states-system in IR.

Evolution of international relations between states

Nation state system provided the fundamental unity for giving this world an international society. This society of
states faced various phases of peace and war to evolve into its contemporary shape. Today, international society is
more powerful and strong under the shadow of international law than it was ever before in the past. Conflicts and
frictions in the relations among states however undermine the concreteness of international society at different
levels of interaction.