Subject Theories and Concepts of International Relations

🌍 Course Title: Theories and Concepts of International Relations

📌 Course Code: POLS-508
📌 Credit Hours: 3 (3-0)

📖 Course Outline

📌 1. Introduction to International Relations

• Definition, nature, and significance of International Relations (IR)
• Evolution and development of IR as a discipline
• Key concepts and major issues in global politics

📌 2. Approaches to the Study of International Relations

• Realism & Neo-Realism
  • Key thinkers: Hans Morgenthau, Kenneth Waltz
  • Core principles: Power politics, state interests, anarchy in international system
• Idealism (Liberalism)
  • Key thinkers: Woodrow Wilson, Immanuel Kant
  • Principles: Democratic peace theory, international cooperation, role of institutions
• Behaviouralism
  • Focus on empirical analysis and scientific methods in IR

📌 3. Concept of Nationalism

• Meaning and significance of nationalism
• Nationalism in domestic and international politics
• Ethnic and civic nationalism

📌 4. Modern State System and Sovereignty

• Evolution of the modern nation-state
• Treaty of Westphalia (1648) and its impact on sovereignty
• Challenges to state sovereignty in the era of globalization

📌 5. Doctrine of Power in International Relations

• Elements of Power:
  • Military, economic, diplomatic, political, and soft power
• Balance of Power:
  • Definition, historical examples, and effectiveness
  • Cold War and post-Cold War balance of power

📌 6. National Interests in International Relations

• Definition and types of national interest
• Factors shaping a country’s foreign policy
• Case studies of national interest in global politics

📌 7. Concept of Diplomacy

• Meaning, types, and functions of diplomacy
• Traditional vs. modern diplomacy
• Role of international organizations in diplomacy

📌 8. Theories of Global Conflict and Peace

• Huntington’s “Clash of Civilizations” Theory
  • Concept of cultural and religious conflicts shaping world politics
• Fukuyama’s “End of History” Theory
  • Argument that liberal democracy is the final form of governance

📚 Recommended Books

1. Bruce Russett (1993). Grasping the Democratic Peace: Principles for Post-Cold War World. Princeton University Press.
2. Chris Brown (2005). Understanding International Relations. London: Palgrave.
3. Hans J. Morgenthau (1993). Politics Among Nations. New York: McGraw Hill.
4. J. Steans & L. Pettiford (2005). International Relations: Perspectives and Themes. Pearson Education Press.
5. James E. Dougherty & Robert L. Pfaltzraff Jr. (1981). Contending Theories of International Relations: A Comprehensive Survey. Harper and Row Publishers.
6. John Baylis & Steve Smith (2005). The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations. Oxford University Press.
7. John T. Rourke (2004). International Politics on the World Stage. Boston University Press.