The study of international politics involves analyzing the way that states and other political entities work together to make decisions on global issues. In this field, scholars consider a wide range of issues, including war and peace, diplomacy, foreign policy, security, and global governance. They also examine how non-state actors—from large corporations to movements advocating for climate action or human rights—impact world politics.
The core concept in international politics is sovereignty, the principle that individual nations have control over their own affairs without interference from other nations or individuals. This concept arose from a particular European system that assumed sovereign equality among states, which was exported to the Americas, Africa, and Asia through colonialism and the “standards of civilization”. This international system is now being transformed into one based on multilateralism.
In addition to studying how states use military, economic, and diplomatic means to pursue their interests on the world stage, students of international politics examine how those interactions shape the broader political landscape. For example, with the end of the Cold War the United States emerged as the sole superpower, influencing shifts in alliances and creating new challenges.
The study of international politics also focuses on the behavior of decision makers in both the public and private sectors, with a focus on the role of leadership and the formation of perspectives. The leaders who are most recognizable in the international arena are those that hold official positions, such as presidents of the United States, prime ministers of other countries, and heads of state. However, others that have made their mark in international politics include Charles de Gaulle, Joseph Stalin, Mao Tse-tung, and Jawaharlal Nehru.
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