Understanding International Relations

Understanding International Relations

• International Relations (IR) affects individuals globally, increasing awareness of international events.
• IR is a subfield of Political Science, examining government decisions related to foreign actions.
• IR intersects with various disciplines, including economics, history, and sociology.
• Key activities in IR include diplomacy, war, trade, alliances, cultural exchanges, and the role in international organizations.

Importance of Studying IR

• Security is a primary concern; conflicts today often occur within states rather than between great powers.
• Globally relevant conflicts include those in Yugoslavia, Sudan, and the Israeli-Palestinian situation.
• The global economy demonstrates interdependence among nations, with potential issues arising from trade disruptions.
• Major economic divisions exist between rich industrial nations and developing countries.
• Health and human rights transcend national borders, with issues like pandemics and human rights abuses prompting international attention.
• Global communication has transformed citizens’ awareness of security, economic, and health issues.

Key Concepts in International Relations

• IR examines who gets what, how, and when, focusing on interactions across national boundaries.
• States are primary actors, but non-state actors like international organizations and ethnic groups also hold influence.
• Goals of IR actors can be political, economic, social, or cultural, using instruments like military force and diplomacy.

World Anarchy and IR

• The absence of a global government leads to a system where conflict and cooperation coexist.
• Countries often adhere to international laws and norms to avoid war, suggesting that IR may help mitigate anarchy.

Levels of Analysis in IR

• Individual Level: Focuses on personal influences, such as leaders or activists.
• Domestic Level: Examines internal influences that affect state actions in international contexts, like interest groups and political organizations.
• Interstate Level: Looks at state-to-state interactions, considering geographical and power dynamics.
• Global Level: Analyzes global trends and technological evolution that shape international outcomes.

Causes of World War I

• Key factors contributing to WWI include militarism, complex alliances, imperialism, nationalism, and the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914.
• The war saw major alliances between the Allies (France, UK, Russia, later the US) and the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary).

The Interwar Years and WWII Prelude

• The Treaty of Versailles imposed harsh penalties on Germany, leading to instability and the rise of Hitler.
• The policy of appeasement allowed aggressive expansion by Germany and Japan.
• Major events during WWII included trench warfare, technological advancements in weaponry, and global involvement from colonies.

Major Events and Outcomes of World War II

• WWII: A global conflict (1939-1945) involving over 100 million people, primarily between the Allies and Axis powers.
• Key participants on the Allies side included the US, USSR, UK, France, and China; Axis powers comprised Germany, Italy, and Japan.
• The Holocaust resulted in the extermination of six million Jews and other groups, recognized as a significant crime against humanity.
• The Nuremberg Tribunal held leaders accountable post-war for war crimes, stressing the commitment to prevent future genocides.

Key Causes of World War II

• The Treaty of Versailles fueled German resentment and economic hardship.
• Expansionism motivated aggressive territorial conquests by Axis powers.
• Their ambitions led to conflict, starting with Germany's invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939.
• Major events like the Battle of Britain and the attack on Pearl Harbor marked crucial turning points in the war.