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    Ir - Meaning Nature & Scope

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    Iss Aaa
    International politics refers to interactions between sovereign states and other international actors. It emerged as a field of study in response to events like the Peace of Westphalia, colonial expansion, and World Wars. While traditionally focused on state power dynamics, the scope has expanded to include non-state actors, global issues, and interdependence in a changing world. The nature of international politics is dynamic and influenced by both traditional state-centric views and more extensive perspectives acknowledging globalization.

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    Ir - Meaning Nature & Scope

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    Iss Aaa
    17 views5 pages
    International politics refers to interactions between sovereign states and other international actors. It emerged as a field of study in response to events like the Peace of Westphalia, colonial expansion, and World Wars. While traditionally focused on state power dynamics, the scope has expanded to include non-state actors, global issues, and interdependence in a changing world. The nature of international politics is dynamic and influenced by both traditional state-centric views and more extensive perspectives acknowledging globalization.

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    IR - MEANING NATURE & SCOPE

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    International politics refers to interactions between sovereign states and other international actors. It emerged as a field of study in response to events like the Peace of Westphalia, colonial expansion, and World Wars. While traditionally focused on state power dynamics, the scope has expanded to include non-state actors, global issues, and interdependence in a changing world. The nature of international politics is dynamic and influenced by both traditional state-centric views and more extensive perspectives acknowledging globalization.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    17 views5 pages

    Ir - Meaning Nature & Scope

    Uploaded by

    Iss Aaa
    International politics refers to interactions between sovereign states and other international actors. It emerged as a field of study in response to events like the Peace of Westphalia, colonial expansion, and World Wars. While traditionally focused on state power dynamics, the scope has expanded to include non-state actors, global issues, and interdependence in a changing world. The nature of international politics is dynamic and influenced by both traditional state-centric views and more extensive perspectives acknowledging globalization.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    of 5

    INTERNATIONAL POLITICS:

    Meaning, Changing Nature &


    Scope
    MEANING
    International politics, also known as international relations, is the multidisciplinary
    study of interactions, behaviors, and relationships among sovereign states, non-
    state actors, and international institutions in the global arena. It seeks to understand
    the dynamics of power, diplomacy, cooperation, conflict, and the formation of
    policies at the international level. International politics explores how states pursue
    their interests, how international norms and institutions shape their actions, and how
    emerging challenges like globalization and transnational issues influence the
    conduct of nations on the world stage.

    Like politics, International Politics is also a struggle for power, just at a bigger
    international stage played among nations.

    Definitions from Notable Political Scientists:

    1. Hans J. Morgenthau: Defined international politics as "the struggle for power


    among nations." He emphasized the role of power, national interests, and the
    inherent competition in international relations.

    2. Kenneth N. Waltz: Defined international politics as the "realm of anarchy." He


    argued that the absence of a global government leads to a self-help system where
    states must rely on their own capabilities for security, making international politics a
    competitive and anarchic arena.

    3. Joseph S. Nye Jr.: Defined international politics as "the ability to affect others to
    obtain the outcomes one wants through attraction and persuasion rather than
    coercion." He emphasized the importance of non-coercive forms of influence in
    international relations.

    Formation of International Politics as a Distinct Discipline:

    INTERNATIONAL POLITICS: Meaning, Changing Nature & Scope 1


    International politics as a distinct academic discipline emerged in response to several
    conditions and factors:

    1. Peace of Westphalia (1648):

    The Peace of Westphalia marked the end of the Thirty Years' War and the Eighty
    Years' War, and it is often considered a seminal event in the development of
    international politics. This treaty system helped establish the principles of state
    sovereignty and non-interference in the domestic affairs of other states, laying the
    groundwork for the modern state-centric international system.

    2. Colonial Expansion and Imperialism:

    The expansion of European powers through colonization and imperialism in the 19th
    century led to complex international relations, competition for territories, and
    conflicts among colonial powers. Scholars began to analyze these interactions and
    their implications.

    3. Complex Alliances and Entanglements:

    The 19th century witnessed a web of complex alliances and entanglements among
    European states. These alliances contributed to the tensions that eventually erupted
    into World War I, highlighting the need for a more systematic understanding of
    international relations.

    4. World Wars and Global Conflict:

    The devastation of World War I and World War II underscored the importance of
    studying international relations to prevent such catastrophic conflicts in the future.
    The establishment of international organizations like the League of Nations and the
    United Nations was a response to the need for global governance and conflict
    resolution.

    5. Intellectual Contributions:

    Thinkers and scholars, such as Thucydides, Niccolò Machiavelli, and later figures
    like E.H. Carr and Hans Morgenthau, made significant contributions to the
    development of international relations theory. Their writings laid the groundwork for
    the systematic study of international politics.

    INTERNATIONAL POLITICS: Meaning, Changing Nature & Scope 2


    Historical Evolution of International Politics:
    The study of international politics has a rich history, which can be divided into several
    key phases:

    This historical evolution highlights the continuous transformation of international politics


    as it adapts to the changing global landscape. It has evolved from classical power
    politics to a more complex, interdependent, and interconnected field that encompasses
    various actors and issues beyond traditional state-centric concerns.

    CHANGING NATURE
    International politics is a field that is inherently difficult to define due to its dynamic and
    ever-evolving nature. Its constant state of flux makes it a moving target for scholars and
    practitioners.

    Two Main Viewpoints Regarding it’s Nature:

    1. Traditional and Limited Viewpoint:


    The traditional and limited viewpoint of international politics tends to emphasize
    state-centric power dynamics.

    It focuses on the role of nation-states as the primary actors and centers on issues of
    national security, diplomacy, and traditional military power.

    This perspective often downplays the influence of non-state actors, global


    interconnectivity, and transnational challenges.

    2. Contemporary and Extensive Viewpoint:


    The contemporary and extensive viewpoint of international politics recognizes the
    evolving nature of the field.

    INTERNATIONAL POLITICS: Meaning, Changing Nature & Scope 3


    It acknowledges the impact of globalization, technological advancements, non-state
    actors, and complex global challenges.

    This perspective emphasizes a broader array of factors, including economic power,


    soft power, information warfare, environmental issues, and the interconnectedness
    of nations in shaping the international landscape. It embraces a more inclusive and
    dynamic understanding of international relations.

    Features Of The Nature Of International


    Politics:
    The main features of the nature of International Politics are:

    1. NATIONS ARE THE PRIMARY ACTORS

    2. NATIONAL INTEREST IS THE MAIN GOAL

    3. CONFLICT IS THE REALITY OF INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

    4. POWER IS BOTH MEANS AND AN END

    5. CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND COOPERATION & COMPETETION ARE AN


    INTEGRAL PART

    6. A SYSTEM OF CONSTANT INTERACTIONS AND ACCOMODATION

    7. ANARCHIAL SYSTEM

    8. INTER-DISPILINARY IN NATURE

    9. GLOBAL IN CHARACTER

    10. INCLUDES A STRUCTURE OF POWER HIERARCHY

    Scope Of International Politics:


    The scope of International Politics has undergone a drastic change over time. The
    shape of International Politics today is like a butterfly effect/ripple effect set in motion by
    some small and some significant canonical events that took place among nations.

    Following aspects should be taken under the study of scope and subject matter of IP:

    INTERNATIONAL POLITICS: Meaning, Changing Nature & Scope 4


    1. NATION-STATE SYSTEM

    2. POWER

    3. NATIONAL INTEREST

    4. INTERNATIONAL LAW

    5. INTERNATIONAL MORALITY

    6. INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

    7. STUDY OF REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND ALLIANCES

    8. GLOBAL POWER STRUCTURE

    9. FOREIGN POLICY

    10. STUDY OF DIFFERENT IDEALOGIES

    11. CONFILCT & CONFLICT RESOLUTION

    12. ARMS CONTROL AND DISARMAMENT

    13. IMPERIALISM/ COLONIALISM AND NEO-COLONIALISM

    14. NATIONALISM

    15. NATIONAL CHARACTER &NATIONAL MORALE

    16. ECONOMIC ELEMENTS

    17. STUDY OF DIPLOMACY

    18. STUDY OF NON-STATE ACTORS

    19. STUDY OF VARIOUS CONCEPTS

    20. STUDY OF GLOBAL ISSUES AND CONCERNS

    INTERNATIONAL POLITICS: Meaning, Changing Nature & Scope 5

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