A study of how people, countries and governments interact with each other. International relations focuses on international law, political economy, foreign policy and security issues, globalization, diplomacy, conflict resolution, and international organizations. It also examines the role of non-state actors such as corporations and individuals. IR is considered one of the main multidisciplines of political science, and draws heavily on fields such as history, anthropology, geography, economics, philosophy, law, and sociology.
It was born out of Europe after World War I, as intellectuals pondered the causes and implications of such an extraordinary event. Its growth reflected a desire to find less-dangerous and more-effective means of conducting international affairs, the belief that systematic observation and inquiry could dispel ignorance and serve human betterment, and the widespread popularization of the idea that foreign and military matters should be the concern and responsibility of all citizens.
The theory that any community, regardless of size or power, has a right to its own political system and borders. This theory is often applied to the Middle East, a region where the United States has substantial economic and diplomatic interests.
The belief that democracy is the best form of government and, therefore, that democratic countries will not go to war with each other. This theory has been tested several times, but results remain mixed. It has been criticized for its lack of empirical evidence and its reliance on pre-modern theories of power, particularly the idea that a dominant ethnic group can dominate its neighbors through colonialism.
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