The study of international politics examines the dynamic relations among sovereign states and their influence on regional, global and international organizations. This is a rapidly developing field as technological advancements, globalization and new challenges constantly reshape international relations. Our faculty are at the forefront of this exciting academic discipline.
The core concept in international relations is sovereignty, the idea that a sovereign state has complete control over its territory and can do what it wishes within that territory. The Peace of Westphalia, which forged modern nation-states in 1648, established this concept of sovereignty.
In the realist school of thought, a fundamental assumption is that states are rational and self-interested in the global arena. The international environment is anarchic, and no one knows what other actors will do in it. Thus, conflict is the norm. Realists view cooperation as a way to project power, but it is never a goal unto itself.
Liberalism in IR argues that the international environment is not anarchic, and it does contain cooperative relationships between states. However, those are largely driven by the values and interests of democratic societies like the United States. Globalists are concerned with the distribution of wealth and opportunity throughout the world, and they believe that the American role in the international arena is crucial to promoting global prosperity and security.
In between the realism and liberalism camps, institutionalists argue that the rules of the international system are shaped by a process of mutually beneficial interactions between states and non-state actors. These include international organizations, multinational corporations, media outlets and influential individuals. They shape the global agenda through international campaigns and negotiations that can bring about change to the global system.
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