Definitions and Perspectives: Theory and Practice

Abstract

This book is an introduction to the discipline of International Relations; ‘International Relations’ (upper case) is the study of ‘international relations’ (lower case) — the use of upper and lower case in this way has become conventional and will be employed throughout this book — but what are ‘international relations’? A survey of the field suggests that a number of different definitions are employed. For some, international relations means the diplomatic-strategic relations of states, and the characteristic focus of International Relations is on issues of war and peace, conflict and cooperation. Others see international relations as about cross-border transactions of all kinds, political, economic and social, and International Relations is as likely to study trade negotiations or the operation of non-state institutions such as Amnesty International as it is conventional peace talks or the workings of the United Nations. Again, some focus on world society and globalisation, studying, for example, world communication, transport and financial systems and global business corporations. These conceptions obviously bear some family resemblances, but, nonetheless, each has quite distinct features. Which definition we adopt will have real consequences, and thus will be more than simply a matter of convenience.