International Relations ‘’ A Necessary Prerequisite For Global Development’’

‘’No man is an island’’. This quotation from John Donne has brought to the fore the importance of states relationship in contemporary times. The world is becoming increasingly global and interconnected hence relationship among states has become a necessary requirement for harmonious living. International Relations is an interdisciplinary field of study which is complex in nature and understood differently by different theoretical approaches such as realism, liberalism, neo-realism, neo-liberalism, the post positivist and the post structuralist approaches and many more who understands the international system from different angles. These theories explain how the international system works.

Theories of International Relations allow us to understand and try to make sense of the world around us through various lenses, each of which represents a different theoretical perspective. For the purpose of this essay, International Relations can be defined as a branch of political science, an interdisciplinary field that deals with the study of the interaction between states, and between states and organizations which covers all aspects of life including political, social and economic realms.

The tool that states and other organizations use in the international system to achieve their aims and objectives is Foreign Policy. The scope of International Relations comprehends peace resolution, war, diplomatic relations, globalization, terrorism, ecological sustainability, nationalism, global finance, nuclear proliferation, economic growth and development, comparative religion, human rights, immigration, international security and so on.

This brief essay is not aimed at observing the general importance of International Relations but it looks at how crucial states relationships has been to the development of contemporary world taken it from political, economic and social angles. Since the world has now become a global village, actions and inactions of one state or an entity has a direct or indirect bearing on the other.

There is therefore the need for states to interact and cooperate with each other in the international system. One outstanding feature of International Relations in terms of relationship between states and between states and organizations is that there is always a win-win benefit between the actors. The ‘’quid-pro-quo’’ in this system enables the actors gain positive benefits from their relationship and which in turn contribute to global development. From a political standpoint, International Relations play a crucial role to the development of political issues.

For individual states to function properly in terms of governance and issues relating to public affairs there is the need to interact with each other. Through International Relations, states are able to adjust their policies and programs to make sure they are in tandem with the global world. Governance in modern days has taken a different dimension and for a state to suit properly and prosper in terms of governance and major aspects of importance, there is the need to adopt democratic principles to govern. As a result of International Relations, most countries in the world especially those in Africa and Asia whose system of governance was symmetrically opposed to that of democracy have now fallen prey to it for the purpose of suiting the international system.

This has helped a lot because rights and liberties are now being respected and protected in these countries and people from diverse background can now live in harmony. Electing of representatives, tenure of office of public officials as well as policy formulation and its implementation of several countries are almost the same. The constitution and constitutional amendments of states also look alike. As a result of International Relations, states and organizations has become mirrors of themselves and try to correct each other when the need arise. This help states to interact and cooperate in a very harmonious manner. For example, through International Relations the CSIS policy was adopted as a result of the mutual relationship between Africa and U.S.

This policy has created a platform which allows African leaders to engage in constructive discussion with their U.S counterpart on both public and private issues. The White House Strategy towards West Africa which was released in June, 2012 had four major objectives of which strengthening of democratic institutions was not an exception. Also issues like war, terrorism and genocide has reduced as it used to be in previous times. A critical example is the contribution of U.S, Russia, and France towards ensuring peace in Syria, Afghanistan and between Israel and Palestine.

The European Union through major efforts have been able to solve the vicious cycle of violence between European countries as a result of international relations. In economic terms, International Relations contribute a lot. Through states relationships and treaties between states and other organizations, the economies of several states has survived and stabilized in recent times. Countries in the world are not living in isolation but rather interconnected with each other where hands are joined together for the purpose of economic wellbeing. Through states relationships, countries with economic clout try to revive weak economies in terms of economic recession which helps to reduce if not eliminate the problems of weaker economies.

Now the Foreign Policy strategy adopted by wealthy countries are targeted to help reduce the financial crisis of weak countries. Though these relationships may have some negative effects and limitations in one way or the other but its positive impact on the actors is highly overwhelming. China’s relationship with African countries is a typical example. This relationship serves as a tool for job creation which improves the wellbeing of most individuals in Africa as well as boosting the economies of these countries. Infrastructural developments such as the construction of roads and the building of big industries emerge through this relationship.

The US for instance play a crucial role towards reviving several economics through treaties of which South Korea is a clear example. Also spurring economic growth, trade and investment in Africa was one of the U.S strategies adopted in 2012 to help revive African economies. The Obama administration initiated some major economic policies towards Africa such as the 7 billion dollar program to develop Africa’s energy sector through the provision of investment support, financing and technical assistance as well as trade programs to expand trade agreements. Strategies such as the American Lottery was also initiated by the U.S. government to give individuals of several countries the privilege to live and work in the United States.

Countries like Germany, France, Japan and many more also contribute economically in diverse ways in the international system. Also through International Relations, Organizations such as the IMF and the World Bank continue to sustain the economies of several countries through agreements signed between them. Through international relations, these organizations are able to achieve their aims and objectives including working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth as well as reducing poverty around the globe.

These organizations advices countries on economic and financial policies that promote stability and reduce poverty. In terms of socio-cultural, the development of the members of a state has now become a function of International Relations. The global nature of the world now requires states and other organizations to interact and cooperate for educational, security and health support. States now depend on each other to achieve these needs. International Relations enables states to come together to deal with complex social phenomena. Taking education for instance, wealthy states through their foreign policy strategies are able to impact positively on the social development of the members of several countries by providing them with scholarship opportunities.

This policy enables individuals from different countries to have free education opportunity to further their education in these wealthy countries. Mostly, these offers requires the beneficiary to return back to the home country after completion of the course of study and contribute to the development of their countries through the knowledge and skills acquired.

Example of such packages are the Commonwealth scholarship, the OFID scholarship, U.S scholarships, Canadian scholarships, China and many more. The rationale behind this offer is to ensure global development with the idea that the knowledge and skills acquired by the beneficiaries will have a trickledown effect when returned back to their home countries which appears to be successful.

In terms of basic needs like food, water and sanitation, major organizations have been established by the international system to ensure that most countries in the world especially third world countries are not deprived of. Organizations such as the USAID which was established by the U.S government, the United Nations, World Bank, ECOWAS, African Union, INGOs and many more have contributed in diverse ways to ensure the social development of several states. They impact positively on the lives of individuals of several countries by providing social amenities such as school buildings, hospitals, sanitation, clean water, and even food and shelter in times of crisis.

Through International Relations, issues relating to the outbreak of diseases are resolved as states and organizations come together to find solutions to thwart its spread from one place to another. Major organizations such as the World Health Organization in collaboration with several states have adopted several policies and strategies to prevent the spread of diseases such as Cholera, Malaria, HIV/AIDS, Ebola, and many more. International Relations uses globalization to advance its course.

Through International Relations, common attitudes and beliefs are now shared between people and countries of heterogeneous character which is very crucial for harmonious cooperation between states and between states and organizations. This is important because the world will be at peace and develop only if there is a mutual understanding between the actors.

To conclude, International Relations has increased its scope to cover almost all aspects of life which has contributed in diverse ways in addressing daily problems. PREDICTIONS Though disagreements and rivalries between states cannot be completely eliminated from the global scene as a result of the chaotic state of the international system, it will reduce to the barest minimum. Mutual agreements, peace and consensus building will be the outstanding feature of the international system in the near future. International Relations will be the solution to almost all the problems in the world.

Through mutual agreements and treaties signed between states as well as between states and organizations the world will gradually turn into a global society in which everything becomes possible. Global political and economic development will emerge in the near future as a result of International Relations. Many countries will seek skills and technological might because that is required for rapid growth and development and which will also be an outstanding feature of state supremacy in the next five years. The future of the world is bright.

BAAH ACHEAMFOUR JUSTICE
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