International Relations Overview POL3: Intro to IR

What is International Relations? The study of interactions among actors in international politics – The politics of international relationships While primarily concerned with governments, IR involves many actors Subfields: – Conflict and security – Cooperation and institutions – International political economy

Why study IR? Explain and predict international behavior and outcomes IR affects domestic politics and individuals

Why study IR? Explain and predict international behavior and outcomes IR affects domestic politics and individuals – War and conflict

Violence in Kiev, Ukraine, Feb Why study IR?

Explain and predict international behavior and outcomes IR affects domestic politics and individuals – War and conflict – Environment

Why study IR? List of countries by CO 2 emissions in 1000s of tons per year (2010)

Why study IR? Explain and predict international behavior and outcomes IR affects domestic politics and individuals – War and conflict – Environment – International trade

Tear gas in Korean National Assembly during vote on KORUS, Nov Why study IR?

Explain and predict international behavior and outcomes IR affects domestic politics and individuals – War and conflict – Environment – International trade – Human rights

Monks protest military junta in Yangon, Burma (2007) Why study IR?

Explain and predict international behavior and outcomes IR affects domestic politics and individuals – War and conflict – Environment – International trade – Human rights – Going to the movies

Sony cancelled release of The Interview after cyber attacks from North Korean organizations (2014) Why study IR?

Actors States – Territorial entity controlled by a government and inhabited by people – Components: Government Demographics Size Region *Taken Goldstein and Pevehouse, 6 th Edition

Actors Nonstate actors – Intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) Members are states e.g. United Nations – Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) Members are individuals and groups e.g. Red Cross – Multinational Corporations (MNCs) Companies that span borders e.g. United Fruit Company – Others Individuals, networks, constituencies e.g. Bill Gates, al Qaeda, Basque

Levels of Analysis Tells us where to look for different causal relationships to provide explanation Individual level: focuses on characteristics of persons – e.g. personality, perceptions, choices, preferences Domestic level: focuses on characteristics of states – e.g. government, economy, national interest, interest groups International level: focuses on characteristics of system – e.g. distribution of power, alliances, IGOs

Discussion Activity