International politics is the study of how global events affect nations and their citizens. It is a discipline in the social sciences that has become increasingly integrated into many other academic disciplines, including geography, history, economics, law, and philosophy. International relations (IR) has developed into a major multidiscipline within political science, and it has spawned several schools of thought, the most prominent being realism and liberalism.
Realists believe that states are rational actors who seek to maximize their own benefits. They also assume that the international arena is characterized by conflict and anarchy and that state actors are bound to annex territory, acquire or sell weapons of mass destruction, or engage in military aggression.
Liberal IR theory, on the other hand, suggests that state actors do not act in their own self-interest and that cooperation and the motivation for peace are important. This school of thinking also believes that globalization and the proliferation of information and technology mean that international relations is a complex and interdependent phenomenon that requires cooperation between state actors to reduce risks, solve problems, and avoid war. It also recognizes that non-state actors such as individuals, international organizations, and multinational corporations play a vital mediating role in the global environment that is often overlooked by realists.
Whether realists or liberals, all of us should pursue the indisputable first objective of safeguarding and enhancing America’s liberty, security, and prosperity. But the path to that goal must be guided by a reimagined internationalism that promotes seduction rather than coercion.