Fozia Tanoli

Assist.Prof( Pol.Science )

International Politics as an academic

discipline is of
a recent origin. This
discipline is so new that it can be called as
the youngest of all the social sciences. It is
dynamic in nature.
In the present time, the need to tackle
environmental
problems,
growing
international terrorism, violation of Human
Rights, Nuclear nonproliferation, unjust
economic order, negative impacts of
globalization as well as the necessity for
reconstructing or reforming UN, IMF,WTO,
International power structure. etc has been
keeping the discipline on an development
path.

According to H.J. Morgenthau

International Politics include analysis of
political relations and problems of peace
among nations. Further he writes,
It is struggle for and use of power
among nations. According to Charles
Schleicher.

All inter state relations are included in

international politics, through all the inter
-state relations are not political.

Political Dictionary. The discipline that

studies interactions between and among
states, and more broadly, the workings of
the international system as a whole
It can be conceived of either as a
multidisciplinary field, gathering together
the international aspects of politics,
economics, history, law, and sociology, or
as a meta-discipline, focusing on the
systemic structures and patterns of
interaction of the human species taken as
a whole. The discipline acquired its own
identity after World War-1

Encyclopedia Britannica

Study of the relations of states with

each other and with international
organizations
and
certain
subnational entities (e.g., bureaucracies
and political parties)

The field emerged at the beginning of

the 20th century largely in the West
and particularly in UK & the U.S.
being influential at the global level

The study of international relations

has always been heavily influenced by
normative considerations, such as the
goal of reducing armed conflict and
increasing international cooperation

IR is the study of the relations among

states and other political and economic
units in the international system
Particular areas of study within the
field of international relations include;
diplomacy and diplomatic history,
international law, international
organizations, international finance
and economics, and communications,
among others

In addition, increased attention has

been paid in recent years to
developing a more scientific
understanding of the international
system as a whole

The study of political relations

between states or across state
boundaries; one of the main subfields
of political science
Its principal subdivisions include;
strategic studies, international
organizations, and international
political economy

Therefore, the IR is;

Study of foreign affairs and global
issues among states within the
international system, including ;
The roles of states, intergovernmental organizations (IGOs),
Non-governmental organizations
(NGOs), and
Multinational corporations (MNCs)
It is both an academic and public
policy field

It can be either positive or normative

as both seeks to analyze as well as
formulate the foreign policy of
particular states
It is often considered a branch of
political science

1.

2.

3.

International politics as well as national

politics cluster around the interests.
Conflict is the result of incompatible
interests.
In both seeking of power is important as it
is the means through which the desires
and wants can be fulfilled.
Both adopt psychological methods to seek
power. In both alliances generally appear
from the desire of men states to strengthen
themselves against the adversary

1.

2.

In international politics only interests are

permanent and so the states may use
direct means to achieve their goals. The
use of cunningness treachery and
sabotage is the part and parcel of
international politics
In national politics some ethical norms
have to be observed. The state regulates
the conduct of it citizens and punishes
them if they jump over the limits.

 In

national politics the individuals are

under the coercive authority of the state .
The laws are universally binding upon
them and the municipal courts have a
complete jurisdiction over them.
On the other hand the sovereign states
are governed by a weak law called
international law and the International
court of Justice too cannot exercise its
jurisdiction as freely as the municipal
courts do in regard to individuals.

 In

international politics the sovereign

states generally resort to wars if
their interests are jeopardized and
there
is
apparently
no
other
alternative.

National

politics is a field which does

not neglect the interest of a ordinary
man.
The
issues
involved
in
international politics to an ordinary
man are in comprehensible

2. DIFFERENCE IN THE METHOD OF

STUDY
Explanatory method is used for the
study of I.R , whereas analytical
method is used for the study of
International politics.

In comparison to it, International

politics is struggle for power and for
the fulfillment of this purpose different
nations encourage conflicts and wars .

Sovereign States are its chief Actors

Protection of National Interest is the Objective
International Politics is struggle for power
Power is both a means as well as an end in
international Politics
Conflicts are condition of international Politics
International Politics is a process of conflict
resolution among Nations.
International politics as a system of continuous
interactions among Nations.
Behavioral Study
Interdisciplinary Study
Analytical and Scientific

The scope of international Politics is not yet

well settle. It is continuously expending. H.
Morgenthau holds that struggle for power
among Nations forms the scope of
international Politics whereas
Burton holds that besides other things, the
study of I.R includes all conditions and
factors which influence the behaviour more
than one state. These views highlight the
diversity that prevails among scholars
regarding the scope of International Politics.

o
o
o
o
o
o

In fact, international Politics has been a

developing subject and as such its scope
has been continuously developing. The
subject matter of International Politics
includes the followings
Study of State Systems
Study of relations among states
Study of national Interests
Study of national Power
Study of foreign policy
Study of international Law

o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

Study of International organizations and institutions

Study of Geopolitics
Study of war and Peace
Study of Conflict Management and Conflict
Resolution
Study of Ideologies
Study of Nationalism, colonialism and imperialism
Study of National Character
Study of Disarmament
Study of the issues related to environment
Protection
Study of Policy Making
Study of the issue related to Human Rights
Study of the role of Economic Factors
Study of Demographic Factors
Study of special Areas
Study of the problem of terrorism

It increase the knowledge of individual

Enables to understand world Problems
Helpful to maintain World Peace and
Harmony
Enables us to understand the behavior of
Nations
Harmony between Nationalism and
Internationalism
Helpful in building world based on justice
Practical Importance
Essential for the survival of mankind