International relations (IR) is the study of the behavior and interactions of states, including subnational entities such as political parties and interest groups. It is one of the major multidisciplinary fields of political science, along with comparative politics, political methodology, and philosophy. It draws on a variety of other academic disciplines, such as history, geography, sociology, and law, to understand the world around us.
Some IR scholars focus on the level of the individual state, seeking explanations for the foreign policy choices it makes. For example, democratic peace theory proposes that democracies will not go to war with each other and only use their military force for just causes. Others examine the patterns of global interactions, such as the balance of power or regional hegemony, or consider the role of international organizations in shaping world order.
The field also examines issues that transcend national boundaries, such as climate change, terrorism, and migration. Diplomacy is a key tool in managing such challenges, which require the concerted efforts of multiple nations.
Many IR scholars advocate that the world today is characterized by growing interdependence. Some support this view by pointing to increasing globalization and the role of international institutions; others, like those who subscribe to dependency theory (usually associated with Marxism), suggest that a core set of states exploit a set of weaker periphery states for their prosperity.
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