Characteristics/Attributes of International Relations
Topic of Discussion
•Relation
of Change ability of Nature
•Conflicting
Nature of Relation
•Multi-dimensional
Relation
•Power
in International Relation
•Relation
of Co-operation and Conflict
•Level
of International Relation
•Foreign
Policy Making Process
•Limitation
of International Relation
•International
Institutions and Organizations
•Actors
of International Relations
Relation
of Change Ability of Nature
• As
the change occurred in one domain leads the same to another domain, the nature
of international relations is change oriented;
• With
advent of change in political domain, the social, economic, cultural and
religious relations are naturally changed;
• Either
the loss or increment in state power depicts change in international relations;
and
• After dismantling of ex-USSR, the balance of
power between great powers came to an end. Consequently, the world became a uni-polar
one.
Conflicting
Nature of Relation
• Most of the phenomenon of international
relations are related to war and peace which impact an existence of human
beings;
• In the nuclear age of today, war has been
detrimental to human beings, it is necessary to emphasize denuclearization
and disarmament for peace;
• Some of the subject matters like nationalism,
internationalism, colonialism and liberation wars are of paradoxical nature;
• Struggle and cooperation are key elements of
international relations; and
• In international relations, placing confidence
on cooperation is considered more significant than the struggle.
Multi-dimensional
Relation
• As international relations is a combination of
political and non-political, formal and informal, governmental and non-governmental
relations, it is known as multi-dimensional relation;
• Either the political or conflicting relations
is included by international politics whereas political, social, cultural,
religious and commercial relations are encompassed in international relations;
and
• Not
only the relations between states, but also the relations between international
organizations and community people are concerned with jurisdiction/domain
of international relations. Thus, it is multi-dimensional relation.
Power
in International Relations
•The
interaction of power constructs international relations. Power is at the hands
of leaders who can either expand or limit it;
•Power
is mobilized in the name of state. In the connection with this, the
endeavors like establishment of relations, breaking them and
declaration of war are carried out;
•Mussolini
and Hitler concentrated power to the cause of war. Naser attempted to
mobilize power for African Unity. Jawaharlal Nehru is no exception to it who
utilized power for Asian unity at all; and
•Power
takes important place in international relations.
Relation
of Co-operation and Conflict
•Co-operation
and conflict always co-exist in international relations. After the second World
War, several military pacts and economic blocs were established from
co-operation point of view;
•Both
developed and underdeveloped countries have formed their own groups for
articulation of interests;
•International
assistance is made available for human development, research, philanthropy and
exploration;
•In
addition to co-operation, even opposition, hostilities and war are
important contents of international relations. Conflict management is concerned
with it; and
•As
the conflicts arisen between states are out of settlement, there
has been destructive wars in human life. It is clear that co-operation and conflict
are inevitable in international relations.
Level
of International Relations
•International
relations is not confined to a single party. It can be categorized into
bi-lateral, multi-lateral and global relations;
•Bi-lateral
relation is a kind of relation in which one state establishes its relationships
with another state on a mutually agreed grounds;
•When
such bi-lateral relation is not acceptable to the third party, multi-lateral
relation is need of an hour to accommodate differing interests;
•Relation
that is applicable to all states in the world is called a global relation.
Relations established by United Nations Organizations and Non-Aligned Movement
are instances to sense a global relation; and
•Rapid
change assimilated by science and technology has made international relations
more universal.
Foreign
Policy Making Process
•Phenomenon
beyond the jurisdiction of national states are studied in international
relations. Besides, the conduct of study on foreign policy making process is
also the salient feature of it;
•Essential
elements i.e. resources, economic condition, population, geography, technology,
government and national characteristics of states create enabling
environment for consolidation of their relations with external states;
•Under
international relations, subject matters like policy making process,
stakeholders involved, mobilization of Foreign Department and diplomacy are in
line with it; and
•Domestic
preparedness of state is a key element to determine its position on the footing
of international relations.
Limitation
of International Relations
•States,
key stakeholders of international relations, only act for quenching/fulfilling
their vested interests. They are much guided by their selfishness;
•Towards
attaining their vested interests, states use to declare wars. Bi-lateral
and multi-lateral talks/negotiations to be held time to time are kept secret
without making them to public;
•Dialogue
held between India and China in 1960 regarding the issues of border was kept
secret. Not only the dialogue, but also the foreign policy making process is
kept in isolation. Due to this, the difficulty has been occurred in the study
of international relations;
•Interdependency
among states is being increased tremendously. Bi-lateral concerns tend to be
multi-lateral; and
•Due
to development and institutionalization of international organizations on
social, political, cultural and security issues, there has been change in
attitude and practice of actors.
International
Institutions and Organizations
•States
are bound by both bi-lateral and multi-lateral relations. International
institutions and organizations contribute to settlement of disputes to be
arisen between states;
•Such
international institutions and organizations are established at the
regional and global levels to deliver social, economic, cultural, military and
technical co-operation;
•International
Monetary Fund(IMF), World Bank and World Trade Organization are for economic
relations and co-operation;
•NATO,
CEATO, Cento and Warshaw Pact are for military co-operation;
•Among
regional organizations, SAARC, ASEAN, Arab League and European Community, etc,
; and
•Other
organizations i.e. UNESCO, WHO and ILO.
Actors
of International Relations
•States
are key stakeholders/actors of international relations. State is a group
of sovereign community situated in a certain territory;
•States,
actors of international relations, may be bigger or smaller. Population is not
solely determinant;
•Regional
and global organizations are also actors of international relations;
•From
power point of view, even actors are powerful or less powerful. After second
World War, American and USSR became super powers;
•In
1990s, ex-USSR came to dissolution and America is becoming a single great power
in the world; and
•No
doubt that state, government, international organizations and individuals are
dubbed as actors of international relations.