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This page is far from finished. I'll try to detail later the history of this discipline and talk about some of its main ideas. I'll need help correcting my english mistakes... :-/ Besides Political Science, where this page should also be linked from?
Thanks! --Yves Marques Teixeira
Is there a better term to use to title this page? "International relations" seems, well, inadequate (not to mention it is plural). What is needed is a term that can be logically linked to in the text of another article. --mav
As you see in the Library of the Congress, session JZ, the term is "correct". Well, I really don't know what is needed. What I know is that this area of knowledge exists, and btw is usually ped with the "R" capitalized.
The International Relations is an area of knowledge like any other, even being originarily "only" multi-disciplinary, not only a "term that can be loglically linked to".
I mean, at least I am studying this for the past 4 years. hehe
Thanks.
About the capitalization of the page, I agree, I'm sorry. But then I think you guys should change the Main Page. I says "Philosophy, Mathematics, and Natural Science".
ps. it is sometimes refered as "International Affairs". but this is different. "Relations" would be not only by states. etc
If this is to be an article about international relations as an academic discipline, then International relations is the only acceptable title. International affairs, international studies, foreign affairs, foreign policy, etc. are all separate fields that may or may not incorporate international relations or fall within international relations.
International Relations is the best title for this page. Nicolasdz 07:24, 9 March 2006 (UTC)
International Relations is a name like any other e.g. John, Tessa or Economics.
There's a chunk that's copied and pasted all over the Wiki-articles on realism that claims that "Realpolitik" means "royal politics" in some odd linguistic conjunction. However, as far as I am aware - and this seems more likely - the term was coined to mean something more along the lines of "material politics", all in German, which, as I say, makes sense since it was Bismarck's word. Had he wanted "royal politics" he'd have had "Königlichpolitik" or some such. Also, "material politics" better explains what it is that Realpolitik does. Anyone have any corroboration either way?
Realpolitik was Bismarck's very harsh version of what we call today realist theory. Dave 21:18, 20 December 2005 (UTC)
I guess that is NOT the right way to answer that. Sorry. Realpolitik is translated as Realistic Politic or even as pragmatic politics. It doesn't take morals into consideration simply what will work the best. It also believes in a zero-sum-gain equation. That being that if one entity is gaining in an area that the other entity is losing. Both can not gain. Funny enough your question is very well answered here in Wikipedia. Realpolitik Dave 14:58, 22 December 2005 (UTC)
American IR scholars are usually mainly inspired by realism and liberalism, this is not the case in Europe. In Europe, it is quite common for IR scholars to use the International Society (or "English School") approach.
This approach is less "scientific" in the narrow Critical Rationalism sense. More emphasis is being given to understanding ("Verstehen") than explaining international relations. So, the theory basically works with 3 levels of reasoning for decision makers, namely a realistic state-centrism (raison d'êtat/realism), a system-level with focus on the survival of the society of states(raison de système/rationalism) and a focus on individual people in the world (raison de revolution/revolutionism). This of course means that the theory is not capable of predicting behaviour, but gives a framework for understanding why states choose specific paths.
--62.107.31.229 21:04, 4 Apr 2005 (UTC)
Seperate from the School of thought of International Society is the term international society that is often used to discuss global relations. This term is oft debated to its appropriateness or lack thereof. Dave 21:19, 20 December 2005 (UTC)
Whoops so sorry! forgot I was in the discussion area!!! sorry. Didn't mean to edit someone's very good comments. Dave 04:35, 27 January 2006 (UTC)
I have done a major rewrite of the article, making it less U.S. centric and more NPOV by actually discussing non-dominant theories critical of the mainstream as well as references to international society and the English School. I have also started criticisms sections which needs to be expanded. I spell-checked this and re-read most of it - but it *is* 3am here and I am sure it would need a few edits. Hope other editors like it - it was five hours of solid research. Do expand on it - this article has potential. --Mintchocicecream 01:56, 21 August 2005 (UTC)
Should there be a section in the International Relations article for Areas of International Relations? After all there are many areas one can focus on, international law, human rights, international environmental policy, humanitarian aid, international political economy, globalization just to name very few. Dave 21:27, 20 December 2005 (UTC)
Mattimeus and I just did a complete overhaul of this article. We felt that the previous incarnation, while valuable, needed both a more useful structure and more coherent prose. We would be the first to admit our changes aren't perfect, but we do strongly feel that they are an improvement over the original article. Any suggestions and changes are of course welcome, and we hope the update hasn't made what's on the discussion page totally irrelevant. RSammy 20:05, 20 May 2006 (UTC)
As one of the people who put a major amount of time and effort into the 1.5 version of this article I prefer the format that it is in now in 2.0. GREAT JOB!!!Dave 14:19, 19 July 2006 (UTC)
What does "confessional truth" mean in "armed struggle was no longer defined as a contest between varieties of confessional truths, but rather, a dispute among secular 'sovereigns' "? Theshibboleth 01:27, 19 January 2006 (UTC)
I understand it to mean religious truths or truths that people held onto so strongly that it could be said that they held onto them religiously. But yes, the term is rather vague and ineffective in expressing its meaning. Dave 02:58, 20 January 2006 (UTC)
The phrase non-governmental entities in the Criticisms section immediately makes me think of NGOs although the way it's used it literally refers to any actor that is not a state. This usage seems nonstandard and could be confusing. I would suggest that we not even try to generalize under the phrase "non-governmental entity" but instead just say that MNCs, NGOs, etc. now have a more prominent role in international relations so that actors are not limited to just states. Theshibboleth 01:38, 19 January 2006 (UTC)
The term is the marrying of two standard terms in what might indeed be fairly nonstandard but understandable usage. I though suffer from having a degree in International Relations and so it seem perfectly normal and acceptable to me. It is absolutely possible that this is NOT an accesable term for the average person. I feel no blow to me or my efforts if someone wants to subsitute the myriad of nongovernmental groups in for that short phrase. I was just trying to make it accessable by not putting in the long list that the term covers.
Like I've said before, I'm new to Wikipedia so whatever you folks think would be best I'm willing to go with as long as it is accurate information. :-) Dave 02:55, 20 January 2006 (UTC)
I think a fairly standard term for "non-governmental entities" is non-state actors (NSAs). RSammy 00:42, 20 May 2006 (UTC)
I changed the phrase "modelling" to modeling". Is the former a chiefly Commonwealth spelling? It seems that Commonwealth spellings are used in the rest of the article, and if modelling would be the standard in Commonwealth English then the spelling should probably be reverted, although to me modelling just looks icky. Theshibboleth 01:41, 19 January 2006 (UTC)
While similar, I believe these are two different things. International relations deal more with how different states interact with each other while World Politics deals with organizations that are not necessarily states like international corporations, terrorist groups, or political groups. Instead of World Politics redirecting into International Relations I think they should be two different articles.SenorAnderson 20:36, 30 January 2006 (UTC)
I realize that there's a box linking to various theories of IR on the page, but I think a section describing very briefly some of the prominent theories (realism & liberalism, neorealism & neoliberalism, global governance, English School, critical theory, etc.) would be useful, especially considering that IR discourse has only progressed due to their interaction & critiques of each other. Also, I propose that 'mechanisms' should be changed to 'institutions'. Mechanisms are causal and interactive relationships between actors and institutions. E.g. the balance of power is an institution, but balancing & bandwagoning are mechanisms. RSammy 00:38, 20 May 2006 (UTC)
This subject is the subtopic of public relations and should be cross referenced to
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Relations
International Relations is absolutely NOT a subtopic of public relations. International relations takes place on the international stage in a state to state (country to country) manner. With ambassadors, envoys, ministers, secretaries and heads of state. While each of those uses the tool of public relations in their job, it is only a tool not an umbrella under which international relations is. Again International Relations is absolutely NOT a subset of public relationsDave 14:06, 19 July 2006 (UTC)
I do not think this subheading to appropiately labelled. The criticisms it describes are not neccessarilly criticisms of International Relations, but of certain branches of international relations theory. It seems like this section describes the criticisms concerned with the acceptance of the Westphalian system as the guiding principle in realist and liberal (and their modern derivitatives) strains of international relations. It is important to remember, however, that the "Westphalian system" is not a static set of rules the govern the international community, but more of a malleable intellectual framework; most scholars/policy makers have by now fully accepted the importance of non-state actors in the international system (although numerous questions still exist about where to place these actors). Also, international relations theory also encompasses many post-state theories of international relations, some of which posit that we have moved into a post-Westphlian system. Calling this subheading criticisms of international relations would be aking to referring to Marxism as a criticism of economics. Marxism is a strain of economics (albeit it is not confined to this field alone), yet it critizes Liberal Economics. I believe this section would be more appropiately labelled "criticisms of realism in international realtions" and placed into the article on realism. Trojan traveler 01:33, 23 July 2006 (UTC)
The two pages: International relations and International relations theory, are not clearly distinguishable. Or we merge them, or we have to differentiate them clearly! - Daniel Cordoba-Bahle 21:15, 27 July 2006 (UTC)
Hey, I thought it might be a good idea that we create a WikiProject for International relations. If anyone is interested, I have put it on the proposed list of wikiproject [[1]] and have created a temporary page for the project on my user page User:Trojan traveler/WikiProject. I think a wikiproject could be really useful in creating more and better coverage of IR on wikipedia, so if your interested drop me a line, or better yet add your name to the wikiproject proposal listed above. Trojan traveler 06:51, 3 August 2006 (UTC)
Late coming back but please send it to me. Dave 09:57, 25 February 2007 (UTC)
Unlike stated in the article, Liberalism was not the first theory of international realtions. Beginning with Thucydides, and then with Hobbes and Machiavelli, Realism, or at least Realist Assumptions, far predate Liberalism.
I wonder if a section on rational choice approaches should be added here. I know many academics who see themselves as formal modellers and rational choice theorists that would not put themselves in any of the other theoretical camps even though some may seem them as Realists of a sort. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.74.237.174 (talk) 22:43, 27 January 2010 (UTC)
This is not a branch of IR theory, its a political outlook. Its like saying social democracy is an IR theory; it might shape how you see the world but it doesn't attempt to model it in a theoretical manner in the way say, neorealism or social constructivism does. I deleted this section out of the list of IR theories a while ago and notice that someone's put it back- it needs to stay gone as its not relevant Cxk271 17:02, 12 September 2006 (UTC)
Agreed! Neoconservatism is a perspective. Once can be a Neoconservative AND believe in the IR theory of Liberalism. In fact many do. Dave 09:59, 25 February 2007 (UTC)
"Neoconservatism" is merely a body of prescriptions for policy, representing an extreme form of aggressive idealism - that is, forcing democracy (and the hegemony of the "good guys," namely the US) on the world through disregard (or rationalizing away) some ordinary norms of law and morality. It is not an approach to the discipline/subdiscipline of IR. Perhaps such a statement needs to be added somewhere, perhaps worded with a more careful attempt to be neutral?).Eleanor1944 (talk) 16:11, 8 May 2016 (UTC)
I wonder how the main article that this section relates to ca be English school of international relations theory. The English School is really only a theory within the wider spectrum of IR, and even though the study of IR in the XX century originated in the United Kingdom, the English School theory was only developed later on. There should be a link to the English School, but it should be placed in the section about the English School theory. Also, this section should perhaps be related to a main article on the history of IR theory, briefly dating back to Thucydides, and explaining the refinement of IR theory and the emergence of idealism after WWI. SFinamore 10:30, 7 November 2006 (UTC)
The contributers of International relations have done a very good job filling things in, getting the depth and breadth that makes this a darn good article. That said, we could certainly take some time to really tighten this article up and make it an EXCELLENT article.
I suggest that we have the information and yes, we can dither over specifics and such but that isn't what is needed in my mind. Instead lets work on doing the editing. By this I mean eliminating phrasing that is personal point of view and tightening up the language in general. Make sure that the article has good grammer and spelling is uniform and correct. E.G. Humor or Humour but keep to American or British english.
Anyone else up to the challenge? :-) Dave 01:16, 31 May 2007 (UTC)
Is it possible to change all the spellings to British then? It's much more correct that way. :/ —Preceding unsigned comment added by Sneaklemming (talk • contribs) 03:01, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
Does anyone else agree that Post-Structural theories are a subset of Post-Positivist theories? If so, should it be merged in there? Fmark 07:43, 7 June 2007 (UTC)
Yes, most IR scholars see it as a subset of post-positivism, along with constructivism, feminism, critical theory etc. s2586201
Does anyone know the origins of the use of terms such as the "international system," even "economic system." Who first used the ideas. Not the origins of the international system itself, but the origin of the idea of analysing international structures and interactions in terms of a "system." Whereas the area of study as a formally recognized political science originates following the World Wars, the origin of the concept of an "international system" might be revealing. --Kenneth M Burke 00:45, 8 June 2007 (UTC)
My oldest IR book "The Twenty Years' Crisis", EH Carr (1946) certainly uses it, but I'm sure it predates that significantly. Fmark 05:36, 9 June 2007 (UTC)
I object to this line: A simple way to view this is that sovereignty says, "I'm not allowed to tell you what to do and you are not allowed to tell me what to do." Although this is simple (maybe crude is the word), it is also inaccurate and unnecessary given that the term was just explained. Sovereignty as often discussed in the context of international relations does not pertain to individuals, which this seems to suggest. As discussed in the context of the Westphalian system, it pertains to sovereigns. Actually, it is the right of a sovereign - first and foremost to control his territory and those under him, maybe secondarily not to have this rule abrogated by someone else. The connection between giving a certain prince the power to whip his serfs and determine the state religion without interference from other princes and the apparently reasonable and modern "I'm not allowed to tell you what to do", etc. is more than a little ludicrous to me. Please take this into consideration 99.20.91.130 (talk) 02:51, 9 November 2009 (UTC)
that is great achivement to disscss the current scanario .to keep good relation with othr state .spassiclly security espacts —Preceding unsigned comment added by 119.155.102.117 (talk) 09:06, 14 February 2010 (UTC)
Italy is considered a "great power, but India and Brazil are "Middle Powers" Since when (after WWII) has Italy been ranked as anything even approaching "great power" status. 64.222.124.24 (talk) 05:27, 3 March 2010 (UTC)
I'm proposing the article be called "International Relations" with both words capitalized. This article is not about the relations between countries, it's about the political science field that has the proper name "International Relations", commonly abbreviated "IR" (never "Ir"). For example, "the discipline that studies these issues is nearly always called International Politics or International Relations." [note the capitals] according to The Globalization of World Politics (2011) by John Baylis & Steve Smith, page 2. (online at Amazon.com) Rjensen (talk) 00:23, 26 January 2011 (UTC)
There should be a section on rational choice approaches. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.44.185.142 (talk) 16:56, 23 February 2011 (UTC)
There is— it's called Realism. It's based on the rational choice model. Freshfroot (talk) 03:45, 3 August 2012 (UTC)
No consensus to move. Vegaswikian (talk) 19:52, 1 February 2011 (UTC)
International relations → International Relations — – both words in the title of a well-established field of political science should be capitalized Rjensen (talk) 17:29, 25 January 2011 (UTC) Rjensen (talk) 17:29, 25 January 2011 (UTC)
Above move request and discussion taken from WP:Requested moves where move was listed as uncontroversial and then contested. Dpmuk (talk) 00:24, 26 January 2011 (UTC)
Is there an article on the academic term for Small state (not Micro-state), on wikipedia, there does not seem to be, unless I am mistaken and it is linked under a different term, which I cannot find. Sheodred (talk) 10:54, 14 December 2011 (UTC)
i have no idea what means international relations ,but i have good reasons to study it..one of the reassons is to halp my country to return our lost terytories and to make even one stap forward to make something good to change ther condition in our foreign politik i mean whith russiansn adn uthers countries — Preceding unsigned comment added by 188.129.222.92 (talk) 16:51, 3 September 2012 (UTC)
International relations is relation between governments following the rules and strategies of mutual countries following constitutions accordingly.
Best, Mussa Naveen Popalzai — Preceding unsigned comment added by 169.252.4.21 (talk) 09:17, 9 April 2013 (UTC)
Where are the references? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.84.68.252 (talk) 23:54, 8 December 2014 (UTC)
A lot of academic studies based on International Relations is going on. However, seeing the way the world is going from bad to worse in all kinds of national and international relations, can it be said that this subject is devoid of profundity?
See this book on a different perspective on International Relationship — Preceding unsigned comment added by 59.98.100.238 (talk) 22:05, 24 February 2016 (UTC)
The following passage sounds awfully familiar. It seems to be lifted with few or perhaps no changes from Ch. 1 of Morgenthau's Politics among Nations: "Political realism believes that politics, like society, is governed by objective laws with roots in human nature. To improve society, it is first necessary to understand the laws by which society lives. The operation of these laws being impervious to our preferences, persons will challenge them only at the risk of failure. Realism, believing as it does in the objectivity of the laws of politics, must also believe in the possibility of developing a rational theory that reflects, however imperfectly and one-sidedly, these objective laws. It believes also, then, in the possibility of distinguishing in politics between truth and opinion—between what is true objectively and rationally, supported by evidence and illuminated by reason, and what is only a subjective judgment, divorced from the facts as they are and informed by prejudice and wishful thinking." [The quotes here are added.] At a minimum, quotation marks are needed. But the wording needs to be qualified in some respects, notably regarding the centrality of human nature, to take into account some variants on realism, i.e., neorealism. And the passage lacks neutrality.Eleanor1944 (talk) 15:54, 8 May 2016 (UTC)
I couldn't find the length and width of the island. Thanks! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.29.251.167 (talk) 21:55, 28 August 2017 (UTC)
Hi! There, I have been trying to link the Word Greek at the following line:- (As political activity, international relations dates from the time of the Greek historian). I tried to add link as: Greek. It has saved but the link is not appearing. I don't mind, if it is not being accepted due to an in appropriate link according to merit. But if the parameters are perfect like: England then why the affect of the Link is not being appeared? --- Willy-nilly (talk) 07:59, 27 September 2017 (UTC)
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