Operační program Vzdělávání pro konkurenceschopnost Název projektu: Inovace magisterského studijního programu Fakulty ekonomiky a managementu Registrační číslo projektu: CZ.1.07/2.2.00/ Political Science and International Relations Definition, object of interest and genesis of international relations

Aim of the presentation To introduce the definition of international relations as a social science discipline To characterize the state and its foreign policy as a basic reference object of international relations To briefly introduce the instruments of foreign policy To define the role of national interests To outline the basic approaches and the genesis of interpretation of international relations (realistic and idealistic school)

Definition of international relations Definition of international relations: According to areas of specialization: a sub-discipline of political science that explores relationships across national boundaries when dealing with the whole range of problems, from issues of international law, trade and security over the role of statesmen, bureaucracy, NGOs and the private sector in the formulation of foreign policy to the character and structure international environment According to the area of research: relationships across national boundaries Definition of the international relations system: The relations between States, international organizations, NGOs, supranational enterprises and other actors

Definition of international relations International relations can be defined as a set of interactions that has been developed between states, international organizations and other relevant bodies International relations currently include a number of areas, e.g. relationships tied with economic, political, military, cultural, sport issues, etc. The recent understanding of international relations was confined on interstate basis. It included only those interactions that took place at the level of sovereign statehood, or official international organizations

Foreign policy Foreign policy (of states, international organizations) can be understood as an effort to enforce own (national) interests outside their sovereignty at which interferes with similar initiatives of other state entities, or international organizations The subject of foreign policy is the state as a whole and it carries several liability for its actions The state is the monopoly subject, based on its sovereignty in accordance with international law and equality with other sovereign entities

Foreign policy The success of foreign political competition is influenced by a number of factors - political power, ideological influence, security and economic power, prestige, etc. Possibilities of the foreign policy primarily determines the overall economic level of the country, the membership in international structures, geopolitical position and military power At present, it can be observed that the foreign policy of the country and its position in the system of international relations is increasingly dependent on its economic strength Anchoring of the state within international organizations is another important factor influencing the success of the state in promoting its national interests

Foreign policy - tools Foreign policy uses a wide range of different instruments – especially diplomacy, trade and war Diplomacy we can understand the official activities of state representatives related to the foreign policy of the country. Mutual diplomatic negotiations about various issues constitute the dominant form of interaction in the current system of international relations The key merit of this phenomenon is the acceptance of certain binding rules of conduct states in the system of international relations, which are primarily contained in the UN Charter, the Convention on Diplomatic Intercourse and Immunities, and the Convention on Consular Rights and other documents

Foreign policy - tools Foreign trade is a very important instrument of foreign policy of each country, which can significantly interfere with the balance of power in international politics Foreign trade can promote relations with friendly countries or, on the contrary, trade embargoes can harm the opponent Trade sanctions – specific type of embargo announced by international organizations against the state or other object of international relations

Foreign policy - tools War is the traditional instrument of foreign policy Clausewitz: „War is the continuation of politics by other means“ Machiavelli: „War is the main mission of the sovereign“ According the UN Charter, at present, the war (aggression) is excluded from the scale of legitimate means promoting national interests of the state – only self-defense is allowed

National interests National interests are defined as the interests of the state. They are valid for the entire state Relations and behaviour of states in the international arena are largely determined by enforcement of their national interests There are many approaches (schools) interpreting the functioning of international relations, the role of national interests and ways of promoting power, specially realistic and idealistic schools

Idealistic school The idealistic (sometimes moralistic) school national interests prevailed in USA after the WWI In foreign policy puts emphasis on the promotion of democratic ideals and principles, morality, international law and slightly neglecting the real power of the state determined mainly by economic and military power Representative and one of founders of this school - W. Wilson Idealism is was reflected in real international political projects (League of Nations, the Briand-Kellogg Pact, etc.)

Realistic school The realist school of national interest is mainly represented by H. Morgenthau National interests are conditioned on by the tendency of the state to succeed in the international competition between nations – based on the so-called objective strength of national interest Much more important than any moral principles the realistic school considered as the key element of international relations the distribution of power that is based on economic and military capabilities of each state The historic tradition of realist approach is undoubtedly very long - goes back to Thucydides, Machiavelli and Hobbes

Operační program Vzdělávání pro konkurenceschopnost Název projektu: Inovace magisterského studijního programu Fakulty ekonomiky a managementu Registrační číslo projektu: CZ.1.07/2.2.00/ Political Science and International Relations Definition, object of interest and genesis of international relations