INTERNATIONAL POLITICS-MEANING, NATURE AND

SCOPE:
Introduction:
International Politics, as an academic discipline, is a relatively recent development in the social
sciences. It is often considered the youngest of these fields, having emerged only in the early 20th
century. Despite its youth, International Politics has become essential for understanding the
complex and dynamic relationships between nations. This dynamic nature reflects how the
interactions between nations are constantly evolving, influenced by political, economic, and social
factors. As a result, International Politics is not a fixed study but one that requires constant
reassessment and analysis.
The formal study of this field began in 1919 when the first chair of International Politics was
established at University College, Wales, in the United Kingdom. This milestone marked the
beginning of a more structured academic approach to understanding the interactions between
states, with a focus on diplomacy, power struggles, and conflict resolution.
Today, international politics covers important issues like environmental protection, where
countries need to work together to stop pollution and climate change. It also deals with global
terrorism, where nations cooperate to fight against terrorism across borders. Human rights
violations are another area of study, looking at how nations either respect or abuse the rights of
their people. Issues like nuclear weapons and how countries manage these dangers are a big
concern as well.
In short, international politics is an important and evolving field that helps us understand how
countries cooperate or compete to solve the world’s biggest problems.

Meaning:
The great Greek Philosopher Aristotle said that man by nature is a social animal. Being a social
animal, man can’t live in isolation. His basic nature and his basic needs make him satisfy his
numerous needs in association with others. Moreover, no man is self-sufficient even in his daily
needs and therefore, he must depend upon his fellow manfor existences. Just as no individual can
live in isolation, no state can afford to live in isolation. Like the individual, no state is self-
sufficient. Naturally, it must cultivate relations between states. These relations are the subject
matter of International Politics.
International Politics is often called International Relations because it covers more than just
political interactions between countries. International Relations looks at a broader range of issues
like global organizations, foreign policies, and how countries develop relationships. International
Politics focuses more on the actions and interactions between nations. The modern study of
International Politics assumes that countries, or nation-states, are the main actors in global politics.
Definition:
According to Hartman “International Relations as a field of study is focused upon the process by
which states adjust their national interest to those of other states”.
Padelford and Lincoln define it as the “Interactions of state policies within the changing patterns
of power relationships”.
According to H.J. Morgenthau, “International Politics include analysis of political relations and
problems of peace among nations. Further he writes, “It is struggle for and use of power among
nations.”

Nature:
International Relations, also known as International Politics or World Politics, involves the study
of interactions between nations. While the terms "international politics" and "international
relations" are often used interchangeably, they have distinct meanings. International politics
focuses on the official actions of governments, dealing mainly with political interactions between
countries. It is narrower in scope, as it mostly concerns formal government relations. On the other
hand, international relations take a broader view, examining not only government actions but also
other influences, such as personal, social, and economic factors that shape policy decisions.
International politics is considered the core of international relations, as it deals with power
struggles and conflicts of interest between sovereign states. Each country acts to protect its national
interests, which often conflict with those of other nations. Power is used as a tool to resolve these
conflicts, making international politics a process of competing interests between states seeking to
protect their goals.
Shortly,
1. Sovereign States are not its chief Actors
2. Protection of National Interest is the Objective
3. International Politics is struggle for power
4. Power is both, a means as well as an end in international Politics
5. Conflicts are condition of international Politics
6. International Politics is a process of conflict resolution among Nations.
7. Behavioral Study
8. Inter-disciplinary Study
9. International Politics is a Continuous Process
10. Analytical and Scientific
Scope:
International Politics is an important branch, of social science and it is inter disciplinary in nature.
Scope means areas of study. The scope of International Relations is not yet well settled.
In 1947, Grayson Kirk included the following five ingredients in the scope or subject matter of
international politics:
(i) The nature and operation of the state system
(ii) Factors which influence the power of the state,
(iv) The international position and foreign policies of great powers
(v) The building of a more stable world order.
A report published by Vincent Baker in which the following subjects were included in the scope
of International Politics:
(i) The nature and principal forces of International Politics.
(ii) The political, social and economic organization of international life.
(iii) Elements of national Power
(iv) Instruments used for the promotion of national Power
(v) Limitations on and control of national power
(vi) Foreign Policies of major powers
(vii) History of International Relation.
Others,
Study of State Systems
Study of national Interests
Study of national Power
Study of foreign policy
Study of international Law
Study of International organizations
Study of Geopolitics
Study of war and Peace
Study of Conflict Management and Conflict Resolution
Study of Ideologies
Study of Nationalism, colonialism and imperialism
Study of National Character
Study of Disarmament
Study of the issues related to environment Protection
Study of Policy- Making
Study of the issue related to Human Rights
Study of the role of Economic Factors
Study of Demographic Factors
Study of special Areas
Study of the problem of terrorism
Study of relations among states.

International Relations and International Politics:

Many writers have shown their inability to draw a line of demarcation between international
Relations and international Politics.
Here is a detailed analysis of the differences between International Politics (IP) and International
Relations (IR) based on the provided points:
1. Scope: International Relations (IR) has a broader scope, including all political, non-political,
social, economic, cultural, and legal interactions between nations. In contrast, International Politics
(IP) has a narrower focus on political power struggles.
2. Nature of Interaction: IR involves both governmental and non-governmental interactions,
whereas IP is primarily concerned with official government actions and interactions between
states.
3. Power Dynamics: IP is centered on the power dynamics between countries, where nations try to
spread influence. IR, while addressing power, looks beyond power struggles to include cooperation
and diplomacy.
4. Focus on Conflict: IP often involves the study of conflict, competition, and political
maneuvering between nations. IR includes conflict but also focuses on peaceful cooperation and
international harmony.
5. Goal: The main objective of IP is understanding the struggle for power and influence. IR, on the
other hand, aims to establish international peace and promote friendly relations among countries.
6. Approach to Study: IR uses an explanatory method, attempting to explain how nations interact
on various levels. IP uses an analytical method, which breaks down power relations and political
strategies among nations.
7. Influence of Non-State Actors: IR considers the role of international organizations, NGOs, and
multinational corporations, whereas IP mainly focuses on the actions of sovereign states.
8.Political vs. Non-Political Relations: IP is concerned with the political relationships between
nations, while IR encompasses both political and non-political relationships, including economic
and cultural exchanges.
9.Use of Power: In IP, power is both a means and an end. Countries use power to achieve their
goals. In IR, power is one of many factors influencing relations between states.
10. Peace vs. Power: IR emphasizes the importance of maintaining peace and harmony between
nations. IP focuses more on how countries pursue their interests through power struggles, which
can sometimes lead to conflicts.
11.Conflict Resolution: IR seeks to resolve conflicts by promoting mutual understanding and
cooperation, while IP often analyzes how conflicts arise from power imbalances and the ways
countries navigate these conflicts.
12. Study of Diplomacy: IR includes the study of diplomacy, trade, and peaceful negotiations
between nations. IP is more focused on the political aspects, such as alliances and wars, and how
these affect the balance of power.
13.Political Maneuvering: IP looks at how nations engage in political maneuvering to advance
their interests. IR includes this but also emphasizes international law and treaties that govern
relations.
14.Actors: In IR, the actors include states, international organizations, multinational corporations,
and non-state actors. In IP, the primary actors are sovereign states and their governments.
15.Historical vs. Contemporary Focus: While both fields study historical and contemporary
interactions, IP tends to concentrate more on the immediate political struggles between nations. IR
takes a longer view, incorporating historical patterns, evolving international norms, and ongoing
global trends.
This analysis shows how IR is broader and includes various aspects of global relations, while IP
focuses more on power and conflict between nations.
Origin and Growth/stage of development of International Politics:
Approaches to the study of International Politics:
International relations are still developing its theories compared to other social sciences because
it's a newer field. However, scholars like William Fox, Stanley Hoffmann, and Hans J. Morgenthau
have made significant contributions. They aim to create theories to better understand and guide
international politics. Inspired by the success of natural sciences in predicting outcomes, these
theories help organize complex data, offer insights, and support decision-making for politicians.
Theoretical frameworks also encourage further research and make international relations more of
a practical science. Their value in understanding global politics is undeniable.
Meaning of Approach and Theory of International Politics:
The term "theory" can be confusing, as it comes from the Greek word meaning "to look at" and
can refer to ideas, interpretations, or explanations. While most agree that theory aims to explain,
there is disagreement, especially in international politics, about what should and can be explained.
Scholars often differ on the scope and nature of international political theory.
For instance, some view international relations as the interaction of foreign policies, which shapes
their approach to data collection and analysis. This approach can lead to a theory explaining foreign
policy, which some may consider a theory of international politics, while others see it as a partial
view.
In this way, approach and theory are deeply connected, with the approach guiding the development
of theory. The differences in theories arise from variations in the approach, as the approach comes
first, and the theory follows based on that perspective. Therefore, the study of international politics
relies on both the approach and the theory, with one informing the other.

Categories of Approaches and Theories in International Relations:

1. Traditional School:
- Focuses on philosophy, history, ethics, and law.
- Studies international relations as the interaction of sovereign states through diplomacy and
strategy.
- Key variables include geography, population, economy, culture, and leadership.
- Key theories: Balance of power, national interest, and world order.
- Realist theories dominate this school, with Hans Morgenthau as a representative figure.
2. Scientific or Behavioral School:
- Advocates interdisciplinary research using quantitative techniques and model building.
- Criticizes traditionalist theories for being vague and unscientific.
- Focuses on empirical methods, inductive reasoning, and precise measurement of variables.
- Emphasizes middle-range theories that undergo empirical verification.
- Key scholars: J. David Singer, Melvin Small, and Ole Holsti.

3. Post Behavioral School:

- Emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, combining scientific methods with value-oriented objectives.
- Focuses on global issues like nuclear disarmament, poverty eradication, environmental
protection, and peace.
- Introduces new actors in international relations such as multinational corporations and
international organizations.
- Schools of thought: Dependency (inspired by Marxism) and Interdependency (global order
focus).
- Argues for a world community with effective global institutions regulating national powers.

Major approaches: Realism and Idealism

Idealism:
Idealism refers to an approach to international politics that seeks to advance certain ideals or moral
goals, for example, making the world a more peaceful or just place. The main component of
political idealism is liberal theory of ethics and politics. It is based on liberal concept of human
beings. According to it, people are born reasonable and good. It means that for idealists, relations
between states are seen as basically peaceful.
Idealist theory became important after World War I as people searched for ways to prevent future
wars and promote peace. Idealists, such as Condorcet, Woodrow Wilson, and Bertrand Russell,
believed that human progress, through education, reason, and cooperation, could reduce war,
violence, and inequality.
Political idealism in international relations represents a set of ideas which together oppose war and
advocate the reform of international community through dependence upon moral values and the
development of international institutions and international law.
“For the idealists, politics is the art of good government and not the art of possible. Politics
provides for the good life and respect for his fellow humans, both domestically and
internationally.” Couloumbis and Wolfe.
Here are some key examples of idealism in international relations:
1.The League of Nations: Created after World War I, the League of Nations was an idealist attempt
to prevent future wars and promote peace through international cooperation and diplomacy.
2.Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points: U.S. President Woodrow Wilson’s "Fourteen Points" plan
for peace after World War I was based on idealism, promoting self-determination, open diplomacy,
free trade, and the formation of international organizations like the League of Nations to keep
peace.
3. United Nations (UN): Established after World War II, the United Nations was created to promote
peace, security, and cooperation among nations, and to address global issues like poverty, human
rights, and health.
4.The European Union (EU): The EU is a modern example of idealism, built on the belief that
economic and political integration between European nations can prevent conflicts and foster
peace.
5.Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): Adopted by the UN in 1948, the UDHR
reflects idealist ideas by promoting human rights and the belief that everyone deserves freedom,
dignity, and justice.

Realism:
Realist theory in international relations focuses on the idea that power and self-interest drive the
behavior of states. According to realism, the international system is anarchic, meaning there is no
central authority to enforce rules or laws. In this environment, countries must rely on their own
strength to ensure survival and security.
Key thinkers in realist theory include Hans Morgenthau and Thomas Hobbes, who emphasized the
role of human nature and the desire for power in shaping international politics. Morgenthau’s is
generally recognized as the main exponent of this theory. It was he who gave theoretical orientation
to realism. He is the first to develop a realistic model. According to him, the central focus of realism
is power. Other realists who follow Morgenthau have only carried forward the tradition established
by him. He has developed his theory in the form of six principles of political realism.
Here are Morgenthau’s six principles of political realism summarized:
1.Politics follows objective laws based on human nature: Human actions, both good and bad, are
driven by the struggle for survival, reflected in history through wars and peace efforts.
2. National interest is defined by power: Statesmen act based on national interest, understood as
power, rather than motives or ideology, which can mislead.
3.National interest and power are flexible: The meaning of national interest and power changes as
global circumstances change.
4.Universal moral principles don’t always apply to states: States should act with prudence,
adapting moral principles to fit specific situations, rather than using abstract morals.
5.National interest isn’t the same as universal morality: What is right for one nation isn't
automatically good for all, as political realism separates national interests from moral ideals.
6.Politics is autonomous: Political actions are driven by interest and power, separate from legal
and moral considerations.
Here are some examples of realism in international relations:
1.Balance of Power in 19th-Century Europe: European powers formed alliances to maintain
balance and prevent any one country from becoming too powerful, focusing on security over
diplomacy.
2.Cold War (1947-1991): The U.S. and Soviet Union competed for global dominance, driven by
power and security concerns, using nuclear deterrence and military alliances.
3.U.S. Containment Policy: During the Cold War, the U.S. aimed to stop Soviet expansion not for
ideology, but to protect its strategic interests.
4.Sino-Indian War (1962): China and India fought for control over territory, prioritizing military
power and national security.
5.Russian Annexation of Crimea (2014): Russia took control of Crimea to secure its interests,
ignoring international law and focusing on power and security.

Other Major Theories:

System Theory:
Easton and Almond developed this theory in the field of national politics and Morton Kaplan in
the field of international politics. David Easton’s theory suggests that a political system's stability
depends on maintaining equilibrium among various forces that influence policy. He identifies two
types of actors in international politics: national actors (like the USA and India) and supra-national
actors (like NATO and the UN).
Morton Kaplan suggests that six international systems may be identified the balance of power, the
loose bipolar, the tight polar, the universal the hierarchical and the unit veto systems.
Decision-Making Theory:
This theory was developed by Richard C. Synder and others after the Second World War. It
basically focuses on the persons who shape international events rather on the international situation
as such. Analyzing the factors that operate on decision-makers, Synder divides them into three
main sets of stimuli-the internal setting, the external setting and the decision-making process. The
decision-making approach has two fundamental purposes. The first is the identification, crucial
structure in the political realm where change takes place, decisions are taken, and actions are
indicated and carried out. The second is the systematic analysis of the decision-making behavior
which leads to action.
Game Theory:
The approach suggested by the theory of game has also been used in the study of international
politics. The theory of game has been developed mainly by mathematicians and economists.
Martin Subic, Oskar Morgenstern and Karl Deutsch were among the first to recognize the
importance of game theory. It is a method of analysis and of selecting the best course of action.
Three principal kinds of game have been identified in the framework of game theory. The first is
called games with identical interests, the second games with opposite interests and the third games
with mixed interests. Game theory envisages several types of games:
Zero-sum two person’s game: The gain of one is equal to the loss of another
Non-zero sum two person’s game
Zero sum n person’s game
Non-zero sum n persons game