The study of the state system, global politics (inclusive of other actors - IO, NGOs, MNCs and INGOs), and social relations (political) between groups of human beings
State
Tangible - Territory
Sovereignty
Government
Population - People
Two different views on the state system
Traditional view: State are valuable institutions, they provide security, freedom, order, justice & welfare. People benefit from the state system. Core institutions of IR.
Alternative view: The majority of the world's people suffer more than they benefit from the state system. State & state system create more problems than they solve. It is a setup for the elite, rich and majority. There are marginalization against the poor, women & minorities.
State system
Cooperation, peace & progress
Power politics, conflict & war
Interests, rules & institutions
Fundamental human values upheld by the state system
Security
Freedom
Order & Justice
Wealth & Welfare
IR Historical Development
1. City-states & Empires
2. Thirty Years War (1618-1648) & The Peace of Westphalia (1648)
3. Attempts by different powers to impose political hegemony (Habsburg empire, France, Napoleon, Germany)
4. Post-Napoleonic balance of power among the great powers, the Concert of Europe (1815-1914)
5. Global expansion of the state system (1600s-1900s)
The sole remaining power after the Cold War is the US, becoming a global hegemon
Western states were not able to dominate each other, so they entered competition to penetrate and control other parts of the world
