International relations is a broad field that studies the forces that shape global society. The subject draws upon many disciplines, including anthropology, sociology, history, philosophy and political science. There are a number of different schools of thought within IR, but the most well-known are realism and liberalism.
The belief that a group of people has the right to self-determination and sovereignty over their territory, and that they must be treated as equals by other nations. A defining characteristic of nationalism is that it is often ethnocentric, with a focus on a particular ethnic group that is seen as superior to others.
A form of diplomatic leverage where a country uses its economic power to influence another through trade agreements and joint ventures. The use of economic tactics in foreign policy has become increasingly popular and is an alternative to military action. This approach is known as soft power.
An underlying assumption of this school of thought is that all countries are pursuing their own self-interest, so that each must constantly seek to horde power. However, it also recognizes that the interests of one nation may clash with those of other nations. This view is sometimes called the theory of mutual dependence.
A graduate degree in international relations can be pursued to further explore global issues like diplomacy and global governance. Many degrees build upon the fundamental elements of an undergraduate program and include research and a final project or thesis. Students who study this topic can also specialize in a specific geographic region or choose to concentrate their efforts on topics like global security, cyber security or regional conflict.
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