Name: Odugbesan Oluwafeyisayo Victoria

Matric number: 190114014

Department: History and Strategic Studies {I.C.E}

Course Title: THEORIES AND CONCEPTS OF

Course Code: HSS 433

Question: To what extent would you agree that

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International relations are an ancient and contemporary phenomenon,

composed of centuries of military, diplomatic, and economic relations

and as a specialized disciplinary field in the 20th century. Societies have

been exercising foreign relations through war, trade, or alliance over time,

demonstrating that the nature of international relations has existed for

centuries. Yet, their systematic examination, the formulation of theoretical

approaches, and the organization of international institutions to regulate

world affairs are quite recent phenomena. This two-way nature of

international relations can be comprehended through the study of its

historical beginnings, the emergence of its study as an academic

discipline, and its ongoing transformation with contemporary world

issues.

Evidence of international relations as a feature of ancient days can be

provided through the knowledge that empires and states always fought

with each other. Statesmanship in ancient days used diplomacy to

negotiate for peace, negotiate alliances, and exert influence. Existence of

treaties between such powers as those between the powerful empires in

Middle East and European powers gives an indication of how diplomatic

bargaining was a reality in statecraft even centuries ahead of the present

age. Similarly, the Greek city-states, Roman Empire, and medieval

European kingdoms established alliances, wars, and trade treaties, which

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are all essential components of international relations. International

relations during the early modern period were institutionalized to a

greater extent with resident ambassadors and embassies. These incidents

provide proof that despite officially the use of the term "international

relations" was not made, international relations between political

communities have existed for centuries.

The Westphalia Peace in 1648 marked a turning point in international

relations history as it established the concepts of state sovereignty and

non-interference. These values shaped the modern international system

by their emphasis on state sovereignty and the right to decide without

interference from others. It was also in the 19th century that these maxims

were solidified under the balance of power system, where the great

European powers vied with each other to ensure that no one country

would be able to dominate the continent. These occurrences attest to the

tenacity of international relations, demonstrating that states have

remained to have political and diplomatic affairs to maintain order and

protect their interests.

International relations as an academic career is relatively recent even

though its historical origins go back a long way. The atrocity of World

War I gave birth to the first university department to study it in 1919. It

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was intended to examine why there should not be another war. It was also

the period in which the League of Nations came into being, an earlier

attempt at global rule which did not succeed but established precedent for

future organizations such as the United Nations. International events,

World War II and the Cold War, propelled academic research into

international relations, specifically state behavior, diplomacy, and

international security.

Proof of its modernity is in the development of international relations

theories during the 20th century. Scholars presented different schools of

thought to explain how states interact. Realism, for example, argues that

international politics is driven by national interest and power, while

liberalism emphasizes cooperation by institutions and economic

interactions. Constructivism, which is a recent school of thought,

emphasizes ideas, culture, and identity as drivers of international relations.

The theories depict the manner in which analysis of international relations

has moved beyond historical recording of events into scientific

examination of international issues.

International relations still develop during the 21st century with emerging

challenges on the world scene. Not as it used to be, with the concern of

diplomacy between states only, today's international relations involve

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international institutions, multinationals, and non-state actors.

Globalization, global warming, cyber security, and terrorism have

transformed the nature of world politics, and new methods to diplomacy

and cooperation must be established in order to meet these challenges.

Increasing interdependence of economies and international agreements on

trade, human rights, and the environment are indicative of the way that

international relations have progressed beyond traditional power politics

to embrace a broad spectrum of topics. Briefly, international relations are

old and new.

In conclusion, diplomacy, war, and alliances has existed since the

beginning of time, demonstrating that political communities and states

have always enjoyed complex interactions. Yet, academic research on

international relations, theory construction to explain global interactions,

and the creation of international institutions are comparatively new

phenomena. The modern world is constantly redefining international

relations, and as a result, it is an evolving discipline that is still relevant in

addressing global issues. This duality ensures that international relations

is not just history-oriented but is also always developing to cater to the

demands of an evolving world.

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References

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World Politics. Columbia University Press.

• Carr, E. H. (1939). The Twenty Years’ Crisis, 1919-1939: An

Introduction to the Study of International Relations. Macmillan.

• Dunne, T., Kurki, M., & Smith, S. (Eds.). (2021). International

Relations Theories: Discipline and Diversity (5th ed.). Oxford University

Press.

• Gilpin, R. (1981). War and Change in World Politics. Cambridge

University Press.

• Keohane, R. O., & Nye, J. S. (1977). Power and Interdependence:

World Politics in Transition. Little, Brown and Company.

• Mearsheimer, J. J. (2001). The Tragedy of Great Power Politics. W.

W. Norton & Company.

• Morgenthau, H. J. (1948). Politics Among Nations: The Struggle

for Power and Peace. Knopf.

• Schweller, R. L. (1998). Deadly Imbalances: Tripolarity and

Hitler’s Strategy of World Conquest. Columbia University Press.

• Walt, S. M. (1987). The Origins of Alliances. Cornell University

Press.

• Waltz, K. N. (1979). Theory of International Politics.

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McGraw-Hill.

• Wendt, A. (1999). Social Theory of International Politics.

Cambridge University Press.