6.1: The International System
In Unit 6, we will explore international politics. Before you begin Unit 6, refer back to the very first reading in the course, and re-read the section entitled “International Relations.” As this section describes, international relations is the study of relationships between countries and international organizations. Most international relations courses will begin with a discussion of the Peace of Westphalia, which is regarded by some scholars as marking the beginning of the international system we have today. The “Westphalian System” refers to the fact that the international system is composed of sovereign nation-states. As you will discover in the next readings, state sovereignty is a key feature of the international system.
As Section 9.1 describes, because states are sovereign, no overarching “world” authority exists, and consequently, the international system can be characterized as “anarchic.” This section also describes some of the ways in which states interact: international law, diplomacy, and war. We will explore each of these forms of interaction through the lenses of cooperation and conflict.
This section compares and contrasts the various theories of international relations. These theories provide a framework for understanding how states interact with each other in the international system and can be used to help explain situations and actions. Realism, liberalism (also called idealism), and constructivism are the three most prominent theories in international relations. Which do you find most convincing?