International Relations

International relations is the study of the interactions among nations or other organized political agents which for reasons of history, culture, ideology, geography, or economics believe that they are different from each other. In some cases, those differences are important and substantive; in other cases, they are merely trivial or delightful; and in some cases, they are fabricated or misperceived. In the worst cases, they lead to violence. These differences are also often reified in lines drawn across the planet, invisible from outer space, yet powerfully real to those who live on either side of the imaginary lines.

International relations is the study of these differences: how they arose, how they enrich our lives, how they sometimes diminish our humanity, and how they change over time, peacefully or violently. The study requires a close appreciation of the historical context of events, the ability to discern the intentions of all sides, and a careful analysis of the myriad, competing values, interests, and perceptions of the participants. The study of international relations is energized not only by its understanding of how the world came to be as it is, but also by the architectonic possibilities of building a better world.