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ASSIGNMENT

INTERNATIONAL RELATION (minor)

DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED PSYCHOLOG
(SelfSupporting)
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Submitted to :
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Miss Bushra
Submitted by :
Menahil fakhar
Topic:
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Meaning, Nature AND SCOPE OF INTERNATIONAL RELATION

Meaning Of International Relations
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International relations literally refer to the interrelationships of states. There is

no state in the world today that is completely self-sufficient or isolated from
others. Each state is directly or indirectly dependent on the other.

Thus, in the international arena, interdependence has been created between the
states. In view of this interdependence of states, a separate topic
called ‘International Relations’ has been created for the purpose of discussing in
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detail how to establish peace and prosperity in the world through cooperation,
avoiding conflicts, wars, etc.
 It is a study of interconnectedness of politics, economics and law at global
 The international relation is first used in 1880.
 UNESCO NOMENCLATURE (1998) represents international relation with in
political science.
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 It studied both as a subfield of political science as or a independent

discipline.

Definition of International Relations by Scholars

Many scholars define International relations differently. Here I have mentioned

most important definitions of IR (International Relations) given by three eminent
scholars.
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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”.
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Quincy Wright

According to Quincy Wright, International Relations includes “relations between

many entities of uncertain sovereignties” and that “it is not only the nations
which international relations seek to relate. Varied types of groups-nations,
states, government, people, regions, alliances, confederations, international
organizations, even industrial organizations, cultural organizations, religious
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organizations-must be dealt with in the study of international relations, if the

treatment is to be realistic”

Jackson and Sorensen

Jackson and Sorensen said that “at one extreme the scholarly focus is exclusively
on states and inter-state relations; but at another extreme IR includes almost
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everything that has to do with human relations across the world. Therefore, IR
seeks to understand how people are provided or not provided, with the basic
values of security, freedom, order, justice and welfare”.

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
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between governments. IR needs to be understood in terms of activities of Non-

state actors also.

Acceptable Definition
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Finally, an acceptable definition of international relations is that international

relations is 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 ranges from contemporary to modern politics,
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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 –
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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
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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.
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Then growing importance of non-state actors like NGO (Non-Governmental

Organization), MNC (Multinational Companies) etc, are also discussed in the field
of International relations. 

International Relations as an academic discipline discusses the changing pattern

of contemporary world.

As an Interdisciplinary Subject
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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.

State is the primary actor in IR

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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.

National Interest and power are the core of IR

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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 as the core of IR.

Struggle for Power

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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.

Continuous Interaction among Nation States

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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 each other.

Analytical and Empirical Study for Theory Building

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

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

Scope of International Relations

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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.
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In the discussion of the nature of international relations, you already get the idea
that what the scope of international relations. The scope of international relations
are mentioned below-

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
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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.

Role of Non-State Actors in International Field

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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), European Economic Community, Council for

Mutual Economic Assistance, NATO, SEATO, WARSAW PACT, ASEAN, Organization
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of American States, different terrorist organizations, Religious Organizations are

the examples of the non-state elements in international relations.

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.
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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 process in cultural and other fields are Gradually
increasing. All this has become the subject of international relations.

Study of Foreign Policy

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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
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policy and the ideological issues of the respective regimes are important parts of
international relations.

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

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
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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.
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Global Environmental Issues

Issues of the environment are one of the key matters of international relations
now. During the 1970s the 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
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Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC), Kyoto Protocol in 1997, the

Paris Agreement on climate change, etc, have 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 by reduction of the usage
of greenhouse gasses and that is why it is considered as the most important part
of international relations. 
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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.
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So what do people think about the international situation or their views also
come under international relations.

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.
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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 the relevant point of
discussion in international relations.
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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.
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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
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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 the light of this
variability.