Introduction to International Relations

📋 Course Outline

1. International Relations Definition
2. Actors in IR
3. Global Politics Focus
4. Nation and State Concepts
5. Sovereignty and Independence
6. Security Dilemma
7. Key IR Concepts
8. Theoretical Approaches to IR
9. Realism Theory
10. Liberalism Theory

📖 1. International Relations Definition

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• International Relations (IR): The study of interactions, relationships, and activities among states, international organizations, NGOs, and multinational corporations on the global stage. It examines how power is distributed, conflicts arise, and cooperation occurs across borders.

• Global Politics (GP): A broader perspective that emphasizes how historical, cultural, and worldview differences—especially from the non-Western world—shape international relations. It critiques Eurocentric biases and incorporates post-colonial, feminist, queer, and green theories.

• Sovereignty: The authority of a state to govern itself without external interference within its borders. It is rooted in the Treaty of Westphalia (1648) and is fundamental to the international system.

• Anarchy in IR: The absence of a central global authority above states, leading to a self-help system where states rely on their own means for security and survival.