International Relations Research Paper

International Relations (IR) is the study of relationships between countries. The

author in this reading goes into detail on the origins of IR and how they fit into our

society today. Key topics that are talked about are state sovereignty, state system, the

security dilemma, hegemony, balance of power.

IR can affect many things from wars to the economy, as was seen with WWII and

The Great Depression. The main reason we study IR is the fact that the entire population

of the world is living independent states. Together these states form a global system.

States are independent of each other, but that does not mean that they do not rely on each

other. Most states find a way to co-exist simply because of international markets, which

effects the wealth and welfare of their citizens. When states are isolated and cut off by

the state system, the people usually suffer as a result, ie Burma, North Korea, Iraq. IR

conventionally dates back to the early modern era (sixteenth and seventeenth centuries) in

Europe, sovereign states were initially established. Most states are friendly and peace

loving, but a few states may be hostile. This usually leads to the age old problem of

national security. Most states have a military, this allows the states to co-exist without

intimidation from another. Unarmed states are very rare and many states enter into

alliances with other states to increase their national security.

Three other basic values states are usually expected to uphold are freedom, order

and justice. Freedom is expected by the people because of the sacrifices they have to

make to their country such as paying taxes and military service. In return the people

expect a free country. States have a common interest in establishing and maintaining

international order so that they can co-exist and interact on a basis of stability. States are

also expected to uphold international law.

There