International relations examines the global interplay of states, international organisations and certain subnational entities. It’s a broad field that draws from a range of academic disciplines including political science, history, geography, sociology, economics and law. International relations graduates have an incredibly versatile skill set that’s valued by employers across many sectors. These “soft skills” include excellent communication, cross-cultural management, problem-solving and collaboration. This makes international relations a good choice for anyone interested in a career in government, business, education or the nonprofit sector.
A defining concept in international relations is sovereignty, first described in Jean Bodin’s Six Books of the Commonwealth in 1576. This theory suggests that sovereign powers have absolute control over their territories, but this power is limited by a sovereign’s obligations towards other sovereigns and individuals. The idea of sovereignty has significant implications in international politics, as it can be seen in the case of the Kurds, caught between Syria and Turkey, or the Palestinians, hamstrung by Israel and the West.
An ideology influenced by realism and liberalism, institutionalism in IR believes that cooperative behaviour is possible. It argues that the norms and procedures established by institutions can overcome the natural tendency for states to compete with one another in an anarchic environment. Using game theory, this school of thought supports the notion that states are rational and self-interested, but that cooperation can help all parties achieve their goals. It also argues that other actors, such as international organisations and multinational corporations, play an important role in shaping the global environment and that they may be able to compensate for the power imbalances between states.