International Relations and Diplomacy

Characteristics/Attributes of  International Relations

Presentation Layouts

•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 unipolar 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.