International Relations (IR) is an academic concept and multidiscipline that studies the relationships and interactions among countries, including the roles of sovereign states, inter-governmental organizations (IGOs), international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and multinational corporations (MNCs). The formalization of IR as a discrete academic field occurred after World War I in 1919, driven by the desire to understand and prevent the causes of conflict. The first Chair of International Relations, the Woodrow Wilson Chair, was established at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, to solve the problem of war and promote peace.
The concept works through competing theoretical mechanisms, with the three most prominent schools of thought being Realism, Liberalism, and Constructivism. Realism posits that states are the main actors in an anarchic international system and prioritize their own survival and power, viewing international politics as a struggle for power. Liberalism emphasizes the potential for cooperation, interdependence, and the role of international institutions, such as the United Nations, to facilitate shared norms and a peaceful world order. Constructivism focuses on the role of ideas, norms, and identities in shaping state behavior and the international system, arguing that the structure of international politics is socially constructed.
IR connects to concepts like international law, globalization, foreign policy, and economic development, drawing intellectual material from fields like economics, history, and law. Recently, the field has seen a significant shift from a unipolar system to an emerging multipolar world order, where rising powers like India and China have increased global influence. This change involves a crisis of Western dominance and the rise of new forms of cooperation, such as the BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which aim to create a polycentric world. The core concepts of state sovereignty and power competition remain, but they are increasingly challenged by global issues like climate change and the rise of digital diplomacy.