lOMoARcPSD|16248954
International Relations: [MEANING, DEFINITION, EVOLUTION, SCOPE, SIGNIFICANCE]
“International Relations”
International relations have become vital for the whole humanity and are
characterized by a high degree of interaction and interdependence. A nation-state cannot exist
all alone and it plays a role of an individual of primitive past, who could not live with the other
individual. So, to maintain the regular relations with other states, it is a compulsory study.
International Relations adopt different shapes in different period of world
history. In the old time, the states played much reduced roles, on some occasions; they
interacted into defense treaties or to some extent developed trade relations under the need of
their subject. But the WWI changed the pattern of state’s relations. The WWII also added
further changes in it. The period has searched for new international system to replace the old
one. The scholars worked for new pattern of a relationship in world which resulted their efforts
in the form of International Relations.
“Meaning of International Relations”
The term “international” was first used by “Jeromy Bentham” in the later part
th
of “18 Century” consequently the term international relations was used to define the official
relations between the nation-states.
“Definitions of International Relations”
International relations is defined in two senses
In broader sense:
“International Relations is the study of relationships between countries,
including the roles of states, Inter-governmental Organizations (IGOs), Non-
governmental Organizations (NGOs), International Non-governmental
Organizations (INGOs) and Multi-national Corporations (MNCs).
The definition of International Relations in a narrow sense is:
“Official relations between the states of the world are international
relations”
In a comprehensive way, we can define it as
1 Assembled By: Muhammad Hassan Ibrahim Minhas| Punjab University Political Science Department.
, lOMoARcPSD|16248954
International Relations: [MEANING, DEFINITION, EVOLUTION, SCOPE, SIGNIFICANCE]
“The official and unofficial relations by official and unofficial organizations
of the world are International Relations”
“Evolution of International Relations”
Historical starting point of International Relations was Treaty of Westphalia in which
the concept of nation-state arose. That treaty also established the principle of sovereignty as
the foundation for relations among states. Up to 19th century there was a limited focus on the
study of International Relations in academic institutions and scholarly literature.
Most of the political theorists dealt with International Relations as a side-kick of
domestic politics, or as an appendix of other disciplines. Practice of major aspects of
International Relations such as War, diplomacy, international trade was widespread at those
times, but the scientific study of these matters was disconnected and relied on different
disciplinary aspects and methodologies.
Two important historical processes provided a strong impetus to the study of
International Relations as an academic discipline separate from other disciplines. The former
was Imperialism in the late 19th century which helped to globalize the international economy
and solidified connection between economics and politics. The later was WWI that brought
home an awareness of the destructiveness of war and its social, economic and political
implications. It also highlighted the potential globalization militarized conflict among states.
“Scope of International Relations”
The scope of international relations is highlighted through different aspects written
below:
• International Relations as a field of Study
• International Relations as a field of Daily Life
IR as a field of Study:
International Relations as a field of study covers the factors and processes that
affect the interaction among state and non-state actors across international boundaries. It is
the study of the conflict and co-operation by international actors as furthered by the
development and testing of hypotheses international outcomes. International Relations refers
to the collective interactions of the community which includes individual, nations and states,
intergovernmental organizations such as the United Nations, non-governmental Organization
2 Assembled By: Muhammad Hassan Ibrahim Minhas| Punjab University Political Science Department.
International Relations: [MEANING, DEFINITION, EVOLUTION, SCOPE, SIGNIFICANCE]
“International Relations”
International relations have become vital for the whole humanity and are
characterized by a high degree of interaction and interdependence. A nation-state cannot exist
all alone and it plays a role of an individual of primitive past, who could not live with the other
individual. So, to maintain the regular relations with other states, it is a compulsory study.
International Relations adopt different shapes in different period of world
history. In the old time, the states played much reduced roles, on some occasions; they
interacted into defense treaties or to some extent developed trade relations under the need of
their subject. But the WWI changed the pattern of state’s relations. The WWII also added
further changes in it. The period has searched for new international system to replace the old
one. The scholars worked for new pattern of a relationship in world which resulted their efforts
in the form of International Relations.
“Meaning of International Relations”
The term “international” was first used by “Jeromy Bentham” in the later part
th
of “18 Century” consequently the term international relations was used to define the official
relations between the nation-states.
“Definitions of International Relations”
International relations is defined in two senses
In broader sense:
“International Relations is the study of relationships between countries,
including the roles of states, Inter-governmental Organizations (IGOs), Non-
governmental Organizations (NGOs), International Non-governmental
Organizations (INGOs) and Multi-national Corporations (MNCs).
The definition of International Relations in a narrow sense is:
“Official relations between the states of the world are international
relations”
In a comprehensive way, we can define it as
1 Assembled By: Muhammad Hassan Ibrahim Minhas| Punjab University Political Science Department.
, lOMoARcPSD|16248954
International Relations: [MEANING, DEFINITION, EVOLUTION, SCOPE, SIGNIFICANCE]
“The official and unofficial relations by official and unofficial organizations
of the world are International Relations”
“Evolution of International Relations”
Historical starting point of International Relations was Treaty of Westphalia in which
the concept of nation-state arose. That treaty also established the principle of sovereignty as
the foundation for relations among states. Up to 19th century there was a limited focus on the
study of International Relations in academic institutions and scholarly literature.
Most of the political theorists dealt with International Relations as a side-kick of
domestic politics, or as an appendix of other disciplines. Practice of major aspects of
International Relations such as War, diplomacy, international trade was widespread at those
times, but the scientific study of these matters was disconnected and relied on different
disciplinary aspects and methodologies.
Two important historical processes provided a strong impetus to the study of
International Relations as an academic discipline separate from other disciplines. The former
was Imperialism in the late 19th century which helped to globalize the international economy
and solidified connection between economics and politics. The later was WWI that brought
home an awareness of the destructiveness of war and its social, economic and political
implications. It also highlighted the potential globalization militarized conflict among states.
“Scope of International Relations”
The scope of international relations is highlighted through different aspects written
below:
• International Relations as a field of Study
• International Relations as a field of Daily Life
IR as a field of Study:
International Relations as a field of study covers the factors and processes that
affect the interaction among state and non-state actors across international boundaries. It is
the study of the conflict and co-operation by international actors as furthered by the
development and testing of hypotheses international outcomes. International Relations refers
to the collective interactions of the community which includes individual, nations and states,
intergovernmental organizations such as the United Nations, non-governmental Organization
2 Assembled By: Muhammad Hassan Ibrahim Minhas| Punjab University Political Science Department.
