International Relations Research Paper
International Relations (IR) is the study of relationships between countries. The
author in this reading goes into detail on the origins of IR and how they fit into our
society today. Key topics that are talked about are state sovereignty, state system, the
security dilemma, hegemony, balance of power.
IR can affect many things from wars to the economy, as was seen with WWII and
The Great Depression. The main reason we study IR is the fact that the entire population
of the world is living independent states. Together these states form a global system.
States are independent of each other, but that does not mean that they do not rely on each
other. Most states find a way to co-exist simply because of international markets, which
effects the wealth and welfare of their citizens. When states are isolated and cut off by
the state system, the people usually suffer as a result, ie Burma, North Korea, Iraq. IR
conventionally dates back to the early modern era (sixteenth and seventeenth centuries) in
Europe, sovereign states were initially established. Most states are friendly and peace
loving, but a few states may be hostile. This usually leads to the age old problem of
national security. Most states have a military, this allows the states to co-exist without
intimidation from another. Unarmed states are very rare and many states enter into
alliances with other states to increase their national security.
Three other basic values states are usually expected to uphold are freedom, order
and justice. Freedom is expected by the people because of the sacrifices they have to
make to their country such as paying taxes and military service. In return the people
expect a free country. States have a common interest in establishing and maintaining
international order so that they can co-exist and interact on a basis of stability. States are
also expected to uphold international law.
There
author in this reading goes into detail on the origins of IR and how they fit into our
society today. Key topics that are talked about are state sovereignty, state system, the
security dilemma, hegemony, balance of power.
IR can affect many things from wars to the economy, as was seen with WWII and
The Great Depression. The main reason we study IR is the fact that the entire population
of the world is living independent states. Together these states form a global system.
States are independent of each other, but that does not mean that they do not rely on each
other. Most states find a way to co-exist simply because of international markets, which
effects the wealth and welfare of their citizens. When states are isolated and cut off by
the state system, the people usually suffer as a result, ie Burma, North Korea, Iraq. IR
conventionally dates back to the early modern era (sixteenth and seventeenth centuries) in
Europe, sovereign states were initially established. Most states are friendly and peace
loving, but a few states may be hostile. This usually leads to the age old problem of
national security. Most states have a military, this allows the states to co-exist without
intimidation from another. Unarmed states are very rare and many states enter into
alliances with other states to increase their national security.
Three other basic values states are usually expected to uphold are freedom, order
and justice. Freedom is expected by the people because of the sacrifices they have to
make to their country such as paying taxes and military service. In return the people
expect a free country. States have a common interest in establishing and maintaining
international order so that they can co-exist and interact on a basis of stability. States are
also expected to uphold international law.
There