International politics encompasses all aspects of the interactions between all states and non-state actors (such as companies, universities, NGOs) across national borders. The field aims to understand the causes and consequences of conflict, peacebuilding, negotiations, global economic interdependence and how these factors shape global political issues such as human rights.
The state is the most significant actor in international affairs. However, it is not the only one. The interaction between all actors is a complex web that reflects the interdependence of the world. This can be viewed via a number of different theories, the most popular being realism and liberalism.
Realism – A theoretical perspective that asserts that states will always seek their own self-interest regardless of the impact on other actors. Realists argue that this is a result of both human nature and the anarchic structure of international affairs.
Liberalism – A theoretical position that asserts that states will be constrained by the need to cooperate with their peers in order to avoid conflict. It also believes that states will adopt foreign policy strategies based on a desire to maximize their economic and cultural influence over other nations.
The emergence of a wide range of research and academic institutions has helped the field of international politics to grow rapidly. Journals began to proliferate in the early 20th century, with the Council on Foreign Relations publishing Foreign Affairs in 1922 and a host of other journals such as the Journal of Conflict Resolution in 1948, and the more theoretically-oriented International Studies Quarterly in 1962.