Concepts, Scope and Approaches in International Relations
International
relations as a field of study and approaches are so wide. The complexity and
scope of the field has created a problematic and an unacceptable definition,
not only from the idealist but also from the realist. While some view it as
relations between individuals across national boundaries, some see it as
“relation between powerful groups” and contend that power is the main issue
between states. To stem this raging controversy, the author proposes an
operational definition that covers these varying but relevant views of the
discipline.
From
the foregoing, international
relations connotes the sum total
of relations that take place among actors across national boundaries or the
international system, in other words, it is the body of knowledge which we have
form those relations at any particular point is not restricted to individual
states; for colonies, protectorates,
liberation movements and inter- governmental organizations such as the UN, OAU,
ECOWAS, E.E.C , the Arab league,
NATO, political parties, churches,
Ethnic unions etc possess
extra-ordinary status.
International
Relations are not a single subject or discipline but a bundle of subjects
viewed from a common angle. In other words, it is an inter-disciplinary field
consisting political science, economics, history, sociology, anthropology
psychology, culture and law. These
relations are carried out by what is called international Actors which include
the political leaders of states, ambassadors, international institutions,
trans-national corporations and other private individuals of international
repute. Examples of such individuals are General Obasanjo, president Goodluck Jonathan, Group of eminent persons (GEP) on South
Africa, chief MKO Abiola, chairman Group of 15
etc. sub-field in international
relations.
The complex
nature of international relations
states that the field is not a one-way study and that there are many issues
that should be fragmented for full observation, study and analysis. This is
without prejudice to the fact that they inter-wove along the line. In other
words, there are different areas of specialization not just for academics but
also in government. Click on Related To Read about the Difference