The study of international relations is a broad field that draws from a wide variety of disciplines, including political science, history, law, sociology, economics and philosophy. It has many subfields, including foreign policy and diplomacy, global governance, international law, international development, and regional studies like Middle East politics. Students in international relations build a greater awareness of the world around them and develop tools for engaging with people, policies and ideas that transcend borders.
Depending on the path they choose, graduates can work with governmental organisations and international businesses, or focus on a particular region or issue, like climate change or terrorism. They may also choose to use their skills in education, research or media.
In the early 1900s, Woodrow Wilson introduced a new vision for global peace and cooperation with his Fourteen Points, a plan that sought to create a democratic world order based on shared principles. The idea grew in popularity following the devastation of World War I.
Theories of international relations vary widely in their approach, from realism to liberalism to Marxism and dependency theory. Realism takes a straightforward view of the world, arguing that nations prioritize self-preservation and those with the most resources are more likely to thrive. Liberalism, on the other hand, believes that advancing political goals through international cooperation rather than threatening force is more effective in the long run. Dependency theory sees the rise of multinational corporations as a fundamental shift in power structures and argues that countries are often bound to one another by economic and financial ties.