POL 309 — Foundations of International Relations: Lecture Note

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LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Series 1: Foundations of International Relations 1.1 Basic Concepts in International Relations 1.1.1 Definition and Scope of International Relations 1.1.2 Importance of International Relations in Global Politics 1.1.3 Key Actors in International Relations (States, Non-State Actors, International Organisations) 1.2 Historical Evolution of International Relations 1.2.1 Early Traditions and Classical Roots 1.2.2 Post-World War Developments 1.2.3 Contemporary Trends and Globalisation 1.3 Core Theoretical Perspectives 1.3.1 Realism and its Variants 1.3.2 Liberalism and Institutional Approaches 1.3.3 Alternative Perspectives (Constructivism, Critical Theories) 1.4 Tools and Methods of Studying International Relations 1.4.1 Models and Conceptual Frameworks 1.4.2 Simulation and Game Approaches 1.4.3 Comparative and Systems Analysis Introduction International Relations is a field that helps us make sense of how states, organisations, and individuals interact across borders. In today’s interconnected world, decisions made in one country can quickly affect others, whether through trade, diplomacy, or conflict. This Series sets the stage for your study of International Relations by introducing the fundamental ideas, historical developments, and theoretical perspectives that underpin the discipline. The aim of this Series is to equip you with the foundational knowledge of International Relations, enabling you to define its basic concepts, trace its historical evolution, and explain the major theoretical perspectives and methods used in its study. We shall commence this Series by examining the basic concepts in International Relations, including its scope, importance, and the key actors involved. Next, we will explore the historical evolution of the discipline, tracing its classical roots and

LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS contemporary developments. Following that, we will analyse the core theoretical perspectives such as realism, liberalism, and alternative approaches. Finally, we will wrap up by considering the tools and methods used to study International Relations, including models, simulations, and systems analysis. Series Learning Outcomes Upon completing this Series, you should be able to: SLO 1.1 define the basic concepts and scope of International Relations, SLO 1.2 explain the role of key actors in International Relations, SLO 1.3 trace the historical evolution of International Relations from classical traditions to contemporary trends, SLO 1.4 analyse the major theoretical perspectives in International Relations, including realism, liberalism, and alternative approaches, and SLO 1.5 demonstrate how tools and methods such as models, simulations, and systems analysis are applied in the study of International Relations. 1.1 Basic Concepts In International Relations 1.1.1 Definition and scope of International Relations International Relations (IR) refers to the study of interactions among states, organisations, and individuals across national boundaries. It examines how political, economic, social, and cultural factors shape these interactions. The scope of IR includes diplomacy, security, trade, human rights, and global governance. By studying IR, learners gain insight into how decisions made in one part of the world can influence outcomes elsewhere. Fill in the blank: International Relations is the study of interactions among ______ across national boundaries.

LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Diagram showing the scope of International Relations (politics, economics, security, culture, environment) Caption: Figure 1.1 Scope of International Relations 1.1.2 Importance of International Relations in global politics The importance of IR lies in its ability to explain and predict patterns of cooperation and conflict. It helps us understand power, defined as the capacity of an actor to influence others, and how it is distributed globally. IR also provides frameworks for analysing conflict, which refers to disagreements or clashes of interest among actors, and accommodation, which means the processes of compromise and adjustment. These concepts are central to explaining why wars occur, why peace is maintained, and how alliances are formed.

LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Fill in the blank: The ability of an actor to influence others in International Relations is called ______. Image of diplomats at a negotiation table Caption: Plate 1.1 Diplomacy as a tool of International Relations 1.1.3 Key actors in International Relations The main actors in IR include states, which are sovereign political entities with defined territories and governments; non-state actors, such as multinational corporations, non-governmental organisations, and terrorist groups; and international organisations, like

LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS the United Nations and the World Trade Organization. Each actor plays a role in shaping global politics, whether through cooperation, competition, or regulation. Fill in the blank: Organisations such as the United Nations and the World Trade Organization are examples of ______ actors in International Relations. ] Caption: Table 1.1 Categories of actors in International Relations Pilot questions 1.1 Which term refers to the study of interactions among states, organisations, and individuals across borders? What is the capacity of an actor to influence others called in International Relations?

LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Give one example of a non-state actor in International Relations. What does accommodation mean in the context of International Relations? Name one international organisation that plays a regulatory role in global politics. 1.2 Historical Evolution Of International Relations 1.2.1 Early traditions and classical roots The study of International Relations has its classical roots in the writings of philosophers and historians who examined the nature of power, war, and diplomacy. Thinkers such as Thucydides, who chronicled the Peloponnesian War, highlighted the role of power politics, defined as the pursuit of national interest through strength and influence. Similarly, philosophers like Machiavelli emphasised the importance of pragmatic leadership in securing state survival. These early traditions laid the foundation for later theories by stressing the realities of conflict and cooperation among states. Fill in the blank: The chronicler of the Peloponnesian War who emphasised power politics was ______.

LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Diagram showing early contributors to International Relations thought (Thucydides, Machiavelli, Hobbes) Caption: Figure 1.2 Classical roots of International Relations 1.2.2 Post-World War developments The two World Wars transformed the study of International Relations into a distinct academic discipline. After the First World War, scholars sought ways to prevent future conflicts, leading to the rise of idealism, defined as the belief that international cooperation and institutions could secure peace. However, the outbreak of the Second World War shifted focus towards realism, which stressed the inevitability of conflict and the centrality of state power. The Cold War further shaped IR, with emphasis on nuclear

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