CHAPTER-ONE

Understanding International Relations

BY: ASFERACHEW D
Lecture at Bule Hora University,
Department of Political Science and
International relation

Bule Hora. Ethiopia

2022 G.C.
 CHAPTER-ONE
Understanding International Relations

Conceptualizing Nationalism, Nations and States

Define Nationalism?

 Nationalism-means a feeling that people have being loyal to and proud of

their own country, ethnic group and belief which is better & more
important than other countries or ethnic group.

 Nationalism- can be taken as key factors in world politics which

accepted as ultimate, legitimate and the most basic form of political

entity. Nationalism-is the most influential force in international affairs.

 It was the cause for the outbreak of revolutions and wars across the globe.

For example, Nazism’s in Germany and Fascism in Italy.

 Con’t…
 Nationalist- means the individual who is the supporter or advocators

of nationalism movement.
 The revolutions that took place with in Britain’s North American

colonies 1776 and in France in 1789 was the result of nationalism

and nationalist movement groups.
 The French revolution was emphasized on the concepts and in

accordance with the principles of liberté, égalité et fraternité–

liberty, equality and brotherhood respectively.
 But, latter on in the 19th century nationalist movement is spread

throughout the world.

 Con’t..
 What is nation?
 In simple word ‘nation’, ‘state” or 'country’ are used
interchangeably but it is not the same.
 Nation-a group of society who share common race, ethnic, cultural,

language, religion, historical back ground, psychological makeup and

a shared identity, common social practices and social affairs.
 Nation- is historical entities that advance with more similar ethnic

communities.
 Several scholars where agreed on the common definition of state

which is every state should have component/element/of state. i.e

population, defined territory, government, sovereignty and
recognition.
 Con’t…
State
 State should be fulfils the elements State or country which is

population, defined territory and government, sovereignty and

recognition is mandatory.
 It may consist more than one nation in a particular state or county,

such as Ethiopia or Nigeria.

 State is the highest political community in the given society.
 Con’t….
 Nation

 Nation is racial/ethnic/context of group of people

 It may exist without the status of recognition and Sovereignty.

 Existence of elements of state is not necessary (mandatory). B/c sometimes, it lacks

element of state’s such as sovereignty & recognition.

 Some times, state is not highest rather the state could be the highest political

institution.
 Nation could be exist in more than one state such as Somalian exist in Ethiopia.

Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya and Sudan.

 Nation –State means the state or county which is composed of a particular ethnic

groups. Such as Germany, Korea.

 Understanding International Relations
 What is International Relations
 International Relation [IR] is the study and practice of international

relationships and interactions among the world’s states.

 Now a days, we are live in a world where it is impossible to isolate our daily

life from international interactions.

 International Relations can be defined as the study and practice of all forms

of relations among the world’s nations, particularly their governments.

 The primary focus of international relations is on the interactions between

Countries.
 According to Rosecrans (1995) “ there is no state that is self-sufficient and

capable of existing independently from others in the context of increasing

 The Nature and Evolution of International Relations

 International relations is begins since independents states are emerged.

 European state exercise international relations at medieval period

with hierarchical religious order and concept through Bishop.

 The history of international relations often traced back to the Peace of

Westphalia treaty of 1648, where the modern state was developed

along with the principle of sovereignty as the foundation for
relations among states.
 Westphalia treaty introduced concept of sovereignty, which meant

equality of states.
 Westphalia treaty encouraged the rise of modern state, the

institutionalization of diplomacy and international interactions.

 Con’t…
 There are several factors which contribute for the evolutions of international

relations. Among theses;

1. The 1st Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648) was the bloodiest and most
protracted military confrontation of the era.
 The Thirty Years’ War is often called a religious conflict between Catholic
States Protestants States.
 The main confrontations state were two Catholic states, France and
Austria and Sweden a Protestant country but in the end no dominant
power emerged.
 But the religious dogma was not the first reason and cause for the war
rather the main concerned of the war which state should have hegemony
over Europe.
 Con’t…
2. The second is Westphalia Treaty of 1648, which concluded the 30
years of war and creates new phenomenon in international politics.
 Westphalia Treaty is the base for the foundation of international
relations.

3. The third the First World War (WWI)- How and Why the study of
international relations appeared after the First World War?
 B/C soon after the end of WWI the participates of the war both the

victorious and the defeated one was conducted negotiation how to

solve the future war.
 Then, after WWI the world states established League of Nations.
 Con’t…
4. The fourth is the Second World War or WWII (1939-1945) totally
devastated the European powers, both victorious and loser states.
 This resulted emergence of two superpowers, the United States and

the Soviet Union.

5. Following the end of WWII in 1945 they established UN and 1948

UDHR which is and implication of international interactions and
external relations.
 Con’t…
According to Rosecrans (1995) “there is no state that is self-sufficient and
capable of existing independently from others in the context of increasing
interdependent and interconnected world.”
 So, Firstly, Italian practiced international relations at the 17th century and
expanded in to France, Spain, Austria, England, Russia,
 At the end of 18th century, ‘industrial revolution’, the Europeans produced

more production efficiently and need enough market.

 As a result it needs cheap, mass-produced goods flooded European markets,

the Europeans began looking for new markets overseas which needs external
interactions.
 So, industrial revolution is the other factors for the emergence and

development of international relations.

 Actors in International Relations
 Who are the dominant actors in international relations?

 The participants in international relations are termed as actors, have a great

influence on the relationships between states and world politics.

 The main actors in international relations includes the states, individuals,

non-state actors such as INGOs, multi national corporations and

international organizations such as UN, AU, EU and Arab League.

1. State as the Actors of International Relations

 Traditionally, International Relations (IR) focused on the interactions

between states and state is considered as the sole actors of IRs.

 However, in contemporary politics the actors of IR further expands in to

international organizations, multinational corporations, societies and

 Con’t..
2. Non-State Actors of international relations
 Our daily life is influenced by global firms, international governmental organizations

and non-governmental organizations and also those non state actors are influenced the
international sphere and contribute significant influence on international relations.

 An example of Non -state Actors were:

 The most well-known International Organizations which participate on

international Relations such as UN, IMF, WB, WTO or African Union.
 Multi-national corporations (MNCs) such as Toyota and Coca-Cola, Nike,
and Boeing.
 The well-known NGOs include the Red Cross, Greenpeace movement and

Amnesty International, charity groups and interest or pressure groups.

3. Authorized individuals – the most popular and scholar individuals Eg. Windrow
Wilson
 Levels of Analysis in International Relations
 International relations have different levels of analysis.

 These different levels of analysis illuminate different reasons for

why countries go to war, sign treaties or follow alliances.

 It means international relations analysis depends on

 The personalities of individual leaders,= ( individual level)

 the values and principles of particular states= ( state level)

 The characteristics of international system as a whole = system

level analysis
 Therefore, international relations have three main analysis levels

which are individuals, state and system level analysis.

 Con’t…

1. System Level Analysis/ Global Level Analysis

 In this level of analysis focuses on the international system.

 It is based on the idea that the whole state is divided in to subparts.

 System level analysis can be undertaken geographically or culturally

such as in Africa and Latin America and religiously.

 It begins with the view that states and other international actors

operate in a global social, economic, political and geographic

environment and that the specific characteristics of the system help to
determine the pattern of interaction among the international
community.
 Con’t..

 The most important concept in system level analysis is the

distribution of power amongst states which is balance of power, the

as (uni-polarity), two (bi-polarity) during cold war or several
(multi-polarity) after cold war.
 The most common example of system level analysis is the Cold

War, when there was a bipolar system where two nations -- the
United States and the USSR -- both held substantial power with
capitalism and socialism ideology
 System level analysis focus on climate, global warming, pollution,

natural resources and ecological systems.

 2. State level analysis of International Relations
 The state level of analysis focuses on individual independent states; State level analysis is

referred as ‘state-centrism’.

 State level analysis argues that international relations is mostly the sum of the actions and

reactions of individual independent states.

 So, he nature of international relations is influenced by the behavior and actions of individual

states.

 State level analysis argues that the system level analysis is the reflection of the behaviors of

states, type of government, economic performance, geography, history and cultural values

of an independent state.

 According to state level analysis Cold War was not just a conflict between two superpowers

rather which emanates from the two super powers views on democracy and economic system.

 It means the economic systems and ideology of the two powers which is capitalist and

communist Western and Eastern respectively.

 3. Individual level analysis of International Relations

 International Relations can be analyzed from the perspective of individuals behaviors and

attitudes or views.

 Here we would look at the behaviors, motivations, beliefs and ideas of the individuals in

affecting a particular international relations.

 Finally, the individual level analysis emphasizes personalities of individuals or leaders could

be shape the foreign policy of particular state and the international relations.

 The individuals such as the Presidents, Prime Ministers, Kings and Foreign Ministers that

dominates their countries and also influences the world politics and the international relations.

 For example, of an individual level analysis is explaining World War II through Adolf Hitler's

leadership after end of the Cold War to the relationship between President Reagan of United

States and Soviet leader Gorbachev.

 An individual level analysis would examine George W. Bush and Donald who influencing the

U.S. relations on the world politics and war on Terrorism.

 Theories of International Relations
 The politics of global interactions is more accessible in the present

age than the past.

 Theories of international relations allow us to understand and try to

make sense of the world around us through d/t theoretical

perspective.
1. Idealism/Liberalism theory of international relations
 An idealists believes international law and morality are key

influences on international events, rather than power alone.

 The main assumptions are human beings as naturally (inherently)

good and believe peace and harmony between nations is not only
achievable, but desirable.
 Con’t….
 According to idealism theory the permanent termination or ending of
war is an attainable goal through preparing of international law & rules.
 For instances, US President Woodrow Wilson ”Fourteen Points’ plays
to ended the WWI through League of Nations and to maintain
international peace and stability.
 Then, Woodrow Wilson termed as the father of the “league of nation.”
 The main pillars of idealism international theory were democracy and
free trade, required the establishment of international relations which
promote collectivist aspirations with the basis of balance-of-power idea.
 A system of ‘collective security’ was advocated to replace antagonistic
alliance systems with an international order based on the rule of law and
collective responsibility.
 Con’t….
 The main assumptions of idealism theory of international

relations were:-
 Cooperation among states is necessary, even if the international

system is anarchic through laws or principles .

 International law and rules are vital to eliminate the occurrence of

war.
 War is not unavoidable but the frequency can be reducible through

strengthening of norms, laws and IOs and International institutions.

 Peace is better than war -War is seen as immoral by idealists.

 War is irrational and avoidable- conducting war is immoral

through international law, rules and regulations .

 2. Realism theory of International Relations

 Realism theory argues that values, morality and norms are context

bound, which is determined by interest, conditions of the present and

by historical processes.
 The advocators of realism were Thucydides of ancient Greece, and

Renaissance Italy’s Niccolò Machiavelli.

 The main assumptions of realism is centered on the view of
international system is ‘anarchic’.
 Realist theory emphasizes on power in the form of alliance that is

the central instrument in international relations and universally valid.

 According to Morgenthau’s ‘international politics is the sphere of a

struggle for power’.

 Con’t….
 According to realism theory, Power in the form of alliance is more

valuable than international law, rules, set of principles, legal laws,

cultures and economic systems; because international system is anarchy.
 Depending on Realism theory conflict and war is an inevitable,

unavoidable and the main feature of international relations.

 Realists believe that nations act only out of self-interest and their main

goal is to promote their own positions of power in the world.

 Realist emphasizes on ensure security and stability states are emphasizes

in the pursuit of power and military and economic power are the keys to
world security.
 Realists argue that war is inevitable wile international system is anarchic

and war is continued in the world.

 Con’t…
The core pillars (assumptions) of realist theory of international relations were

 Human being by nature selfish, egoistic self-centered and ethically immoral and bad

 Each states have gigantic desire for power and to dominate others

 International politics is a full of a struggle for power, "a war of all against all“

 The primary objective of every state is to promote its national interests.

 The international anarchical system encourages the states to acquire sufficient

military capabilities to prevent an attack by others.

 Economic power is less relevant than military might (military power) for global

security.
 Military Allies is the only means state's ability to defend itself and to achieve its

national interest.
 If all states seek to maximize power, peace and stability will be result through

maintaining a balance of power.

 3. Marxism theory of international relations
 Marxism is an ideology that argues society is divided into two

contradictory classes the business class (the bourgeoisie) and the

working class (the proletariat), the slave and the Masters, Land
Lords vs Peasants
 The proletariats are at the forgiveness of the bourgeoisie who

control their wages.

 The structuralism theory concentrated on the inequalities that exist

within the international system, inequalities of wealth between the

rich ‘North’ or the ‘First World’ and the poor ‘South’ or the
‘Third World’.
 Con’t..
 According to Karl Marx and Lenin, the structuralism theory focused on

dependency, exploitation and the international division of labor which

relegated the vast majority of population to the extremes of poverty.
 The other manifestation of international system in structural theory is inequality,

unequal exchange relations, the impoverishment (hardship) of the majority of

others.
 Immanuel Wallerstein’s world systems analysis of international relations also an

example of structural or Marxism theory.

 world systems can be divided the international system and the international

relations as Core-the developed state semi-periphery-the middle East, BRICs

and Asian states –Periphery-the third world Latin America sub Saharan states.
 5. Constructivism theory of international relations

 Constructivists highlight the importance of values and shared

interests between individuals who interact on the global stage.

 Constructivist described the relationship between agents
(individuals) and structures (such as the state) as one in which
structures not only constrain agents but also construct their identities
and interests.
 To understand constructivism is to understand that ideas, or ‘norms’

as they are often called, have power. IR is, then, a never-ending

journey of change chronicling the accumulation of the accepted
norms of the past and the emerging norms of the future.
 As such, constructivists seek to study this process.
 Con’t…
 Constructivism theory of international relations s the view that states develop their

relations with and understanding of others state through the channels of norms and
practices.
 Constructivist theory argues on belief, ideas in mind and concept leads them to

criticize the realists in their assumption with international anarchy.

 For them, anarchy is an imagined community and it is mutually constituted by

actors employing constitutive rules and social practices.

 As Constructivism view international relations is contingent and dictated by social

facts that help us to understand the reality and past experience, which also shape our

current reality, this social fact and past experience are also essential concept in

defining what constitutes a threats to a state.

 Constructivist theory argues treat of threats are not objective and materially-based

facts rather threats are socially constructed in the minds of the society .
 Group Discussion
1. Define and conceptualize International Relations?

2. List down and discuss on the actors of International Relations?

3. Write down and discuss the theory of International Relations?