1. Sovereign States are Chief Actors:
Sovereign states are the primary actors in international relations due to their unique attributes, roles, and capabilities. Here’s why they hold this central position:
- Legal Sovereignty:
Sovereign states are recognized as independent entities with the legal right to govern their own affairs without external interference. This status allows them to engage in treaties, alliances, and international organizations, such as the United Nations, on an equal footing. - Monopoly on Power:
States control military and economic resources, giving them the ability to influence international politics, either through diplomacy, economic incentives, or military actions. - Decision-Making Authority:
States make binding decisions that affect their domestic populations and international relations. This includes crafting foreign policies, engaging in diplomacy, and participating in global governance. - Membership in International Institutions:
Most international organizations, like the United Nations or World Trade Organization, are composed of states. These bodies depend on state cooperation to function and achieve their goals. - Economic Influence:
States regulate their national economies and trade policies, which have significant impacts on global markets. Major powers, such as the United States, China, and the European Union (a supranational entity but composed of sovereign states), drive global economic trends. - Custodians of International Law:
States create and enforce international laws and agreements, ranging from trade regulations to environmental protocols and human rights treaties. Their participation legitimizes and sustains these norms. - Diplomatic Engagement:
States are the main entities that engage in bilateral and multilateral diplomacy to address issues such as security, trade, and climate change. They establish embassies, negotiate agreements, and manage conflicts. - Global Security:
States, especially those with significant military capabilities, play key roles in maintaining or disrupting global security. They lead peacekeeping efforts, form alliances, and manage conflicts through institutions like NATO or ad hoc coalitions.
While non-state actors (e.g., multinational corporations, international organizations, NGOs, and transnational groups) also play significant roles, states remain the foundational units in shaping the structure and dynamics of the international system.
2.Protection of National Interest is the objective
States protect their national interests in international relations because these interests are central to their survival, security, and prosperity. Here’s why they do so:
Preservation of Sovereignty: States safeguard their independence and autonomy to ensure they can govern without external interference. Protecting national interests prevents foreign domination or undue influence
Security and Survival: The primary national interest for any state is the protection of its citizens and territorial integrity. States pursue policies to deter threats, maintain peace, and defend against aggression.
Economic Prosperity: States aim to secure resources, markets, and favorable trade terms to promote economic growth and stability. This often involves negotiating trade agreements, ensuring energy supplies, and fostering technological development.
Political Stability: Protecting national interests helps maintain domestic stability by addressing issues like immigration, resource allocation, and foreign policy concerns that could destabilize the country internally.
Cultural and Ideological Preservation: States often act to protect their cultural identity, values, and ideologies. This can include resisting cultural imperialism, promoting national values abroad, or opposing ideologies they perceive as threats.
Global Influence and Prestige: Protecting national interests often enhances a state’s international standing. States seek to increase their influence in global affairs to shape outcomes that align with their strategic goals.
Obligation to Citizens: Governments are accountable to their populations and must act in ways that prioritize the well-being, safety, and prosperity of their citizens. Pursuing national interests is a way to fulfill this obligation.
Realist Imperatives in Anarchy: In the anarchic international system, where no central authority governs state behavior, states act in self-interest to maximize power and security. Protecting national interests is essential for survival in such a competitive environment.
Balancing Global Challenges: States protect their interests while engaging in cooperative efforts to address global challenges like climate change, terrorism, or pandemics. They do so to ensure that international actions align with their national priorities.
Ultimately, protecting national interests allows states to navigate the complexities of international relations while ensuring their survival, growth, and ability to meet domestic and international responsibilities.
3. International Politics is a Struggle for power
International relations are often described as a struggle for power because the international system lacks a central authority to enforce rules and resolve disputes, creating an environment of anarchy. In such a system, states must rely on their own capabilities to secure their survival, interests, and influence. This dynamic fosters competition and power struggles. Here are the main reasons:
Anarchic Structure of the International System: The absence of a global government means that states operate in a self-help system, where they must protect their own interests and security. This leads to competition for power as states seek to ensure their survival and deter threats.
Security Dilemma: Efforts by one state to increase its security, such as building military capabilities, often make other states feel less secure. This creates an arms race or geopolitical tension, where power accumulation becomes a necessity.
Realist Theory Perspective: Realism, a dominant theory in international relations, posits that states are inherently power-seeking and driven by self-interest. States compete for resources, influence, and dominance to maximize their power relative to others.
Economic Competition: States compete for access to resources, markets, and trade routes, which are seen as essential for economic growth and national prosperity. Economic power often translates into political and military power, intensifying the struggle.
Desire for Influence and Prestige: States seek power to shape the international order and advance their values, ideologies, or strategic goals. For example, superpowers like the United States and China engage in geopolitical competition to expand their influence.
Zero-Sum Game Perception: In many cases, states view power as finite: a gain by one state is perceived as a loss by another. This zero-sum mentality drives competition, as states fear relative losses in power.
Historical Precedents: History shows that struggles for power have shaped international relations, from imperial expansions to the Cold War rivalry between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. These examples reinforce the notion that power struggles are inherent to international politics.
Balancing and Band wagoning: Weaker states often align with stronger states (bandwagoning) or form coalitions to counter stronger powers (balancing). These behaviors contribute to the ongoing competition for influence and security.
Ideological and Cultural Clashes: Power struggles also emerge from ideological or cultural differences, as states seek to promote their systems of governance (e.g., democracy vs. authoritarianism).
Global Challenges and Competition: Issues like climate change, space exploration, and emerging technologies add new dimensions to power struggles as states compete for leadership and resources in these areas.
While not all aspects of international relations involve conflict (there is significant cooperation), the inherent competition for power drives much of the behavior of states in the global arena.