International Relations

This document discusses the concept of politics and its relation to international relations. It explores the different theories and perspectives in these disciplines and emphasizes the importance of analyzing them in class. The document also touches on topics such as sex, gender, and sexuality in relation to power and politics. It concludes by highlighting the significance of states in both politics and international relations.

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QUESTION 1
The concept of politics is construed differently by different people throughout the world.
However, in general, politics is viewed as an art of government or what generally entails the
state; the way of managing public affairs; way of resolving through debate and making use of the
available resources for societal existence. On the other hand, politics exits because people differ
on ideologies. People differ on how they should co-exist with each other. How power and the
available resources should be distributed. What the society should be based on among other
things. In addition, politics is an art of activity in which human beings try to better their lives
and enhance the development of a good society (Friedrich, Karl, 2013).
Further, politics entails the activity of preserving and amending general rules that govern them.
On the other hand, politics as an art of government is considered to be the exercise of control
within society through the making and enforcement of collective decisions (Snow and Brown,
2009).
International relations being a different branch of political science, its foundation are found on
theories in politics, feminism, the economy of politics and international laws. International
relations use the foundation to be able to come up with its perspectives in creating an
understanding of conflicts and interactions between nations and non-state actors in the modern
world. On this, it is emphasized that international relations as a branch relate to international
politics, sociology, and history among other known disciplines. This is based on the fact that it
comprises various sub-branches like international security and law (Goldstein, 2009).
Following the illustrations, it is important to analyze both the study of international relations and
politics. The analysis can be done different as the two branches comprise different disciplines,

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although both broadly touch on the analysis of politics (Snow and Brown, 2010). Regarding the
importance of analyzing the disciplines in class, it should be done due to reasons such as:
international relations entail the study of various sub-branches such as international law and the
economy of politics. These sub-branches form part of the modern world discussion that each
individual is to be well aware of. In addition, concept such as the study of international laws is at
the core of regulating international trade which equally contributes to development and nations
and democracy in the long run (Goldstein, 2009).

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QUESTION 2
Sex refers to biological differences between males and females. Gender refers to the role of a
male or female in society while sexuality refers to different ways through which individuals
experience and expresses themselves sexually.
Following this, the idea in regards to body, sexuality and power has brought up a big debate
relating to the interest of feminist. Further, feminists have gone ahead to analyze how power
relates to the body and also identified the limitations. Regarding this theory, power relations calls
for understanding the nature of women’s subordination (Foucault, 2013).
In the theory, two approaches are used. One regards a government being efficient on the people it
exercises authority over while by focusing on management the process of life of the social body
while the other follows regulation of things such as power that aims at individual’s body as
objects to undergo manipulation and training. These practices developed from isolated
institutions such as prisons and factories where they were used as mechanisms of social
regulation and control. Following this, disciplinary authority can only be exercised on the body
which eventually results to control over the conduct of individuals. In addition, the author
considers how the issue sex and sexuality formed the crucial aspect of politics in the society in
relation to exercising control on individuals and the society at large (Foucault. 2013).
On the other hand, the study of politics is still relevant in the sense that; its definition is broad
and therefore covers concept such as government. Regarding this, nations thrive depending on
the system of governments and therefore, having a better understanding of these governments is
important. Similarly, the study of politics opens up peoples mind to understand how the

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foundation of forms of government and best way to be able to advocate for their rights through
the formation of different associations.
In conclusion therefore, both the study of politics and international relations is of importance
since it’s from these concepts that governments are developed and international laws to regulate
the conduct of states to each other. Therefore, analyzing them in class helps students to
understand the practical aspect of this study and ways to go about them anytime need arises
(Foucault, 2013).

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QUESTION 3
Structuralism is a theory in international relations that acknowledges that great leaders are the
reason for development while bad politicians are the reason why politics turns out to be bad.
Following the concept, it is impossible to talk about politics on international relations without the
concept of structuralism as it creates the basis of the international relations politics. In social
clause, structuralism is referred to as a method or a way which implies the elements
and character of the culture of human beings which must have to be understood with
regard to the way they tend to understand, perceive, think and feel things in a more
overarching and broader structure or system. The method works for the purpose of
uncovering the structure which covers all things which human being tend to do, feel,
perceive and think. This is clearly translated into the politics and international relations.
On the other hand, critical theory entails a wide range of approaches that focus on the concept of
freeing people from emancipation that is modern state and economic system. The idea was first
propounded by Karl Max and Immanuel Kant. Following this, they hold on the concept of
universalism. Critical theory relates to politics and international relations in the sense that it
regards advocating for people’s rights in a state which forms politics.
Post-structuralism on the other hand concerns a way of looking at challenges people experience
and coming to accept the truth and knowledge. Post-structuralism works towards, limiting power
of some actors within international relations, in this way it relates to politics since it entails the
debate of power which forms an important part of politics. It also uncovers the power relations
that dictate political events.

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In conclusion therefore, the theories within international relations relate to the two concept as
they are able to uncover the various power relations and set a way in which political events could
go. Therefore, following the provided illustrations, sex, gender and sexuality are more of cultural
constructs since it is based on them that the concept of human discipline comes about; it helps
enhance interaction and promote the exercise of power over them, for instance using women to
ensure submission. This therefore brings them up as social constructs unlike natural facts.

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QUESTION 4
A State in its definitive state is defined as a person of international status who has to possess
certain qualification. This kind of qualifications which has to be possessed include the
following: it has to have a permanent population; it must have a capacity to contract any kind of
relations with other states; it must have a defined territory and government (Justice Legueux).
Based on the definition of a State, it comprises a given number of people who are at the centre of
politics, as from the above definition. This is so because, with population there is need to ensure
that laws are put in place to regulate people’s behavior. Subsequently, with development of
regulatory laws, different persons will came up with different ideologies on how to govern them.
In addition, not all individuals will feel satisfied with how the government exercises power on its
citizens. Therefore following this, a state remains the core stone of the existence of politics.
Similarly, the State forms the basis of politics in that: one of the components of a state includes a
form of government to exercise control on its citizens. Regarding this, the definition of politics
includes an art of government in society. This therefore means that, it is impossible to discuss
politics without including States since politics emanate from states. This comes about by the
population in the state recognizing their rights and advocating for them. Recognizing the rights
as a people enables the heads of the state to give fair and cautious treatment to its people
knowing that the people they are leading have good understanding of there own rights and
responsibilities. On the other hand, those after power use politics as a tool to convince the voters
to elect them as their representatives (Hobbes, Missner, 2009).
As to international relations, the State still remains a fundamental subject. First, considering that
both politics and international relations are closely related, any justification as to why a state is a

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major subject of politics constitutes a justification to international relations (Hobbes, Missner,
2009). In conclusion therefore, the concept of politics and international relations cannot exist
where there are no states. The general reason being, both international relations and politics
consist of a population that has different ideologies to life. This population then organizes itself
into various associations which establish laws to regulate them through a system of government.
Following such developments, a state emerges within which the concept of politics and
international relations develops (Audrey, 2009).
QUESTION 5
Realist in international relation refers to a school of thought whose attention is focused on the
influence the state has in world politics. Influencing the state includes the following; being able
to convince on how the politics and politicians have to run the state, being in a position to
manipulate the state to use a certain person for a certain reason in politics; acting as an advisory
committee for the state as far as politics is concerned. Therefore, following this jurisprudence,
politics can only exist as long as States are in existence. Realist is of the assumption that States
are motivated by national interests or the interests disguised as moral concerns. Regarding this,
States give their best in maintaining their political autonomy and territorial power. Based on
these interests, State interests may come up in various ways such as: some states might wish to
develop their political systems while others their economic power (Fredriech, Karl, 2013).
Therefore, following the various interests each State might choose to expand, the concept of
politics develops as in doing so other states will be involved. For instance a State whose interest
is towards expanding its territorial system possibly will lead to a disagreement with the
neighboring States and therefore contribute to politics. Therefore, following such illustrations

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the realist concept of states and politics stands as it is. The general conclusion regarding politics
and international relations is that: the two cannot exist without states. This is so because State
constitutes people who are the reason as to why politics and sub-branches of international
relations such as international law come into existence. In addition, the sub-branches of politics
such as international law have come into existence through States coming together and agreeing
on such standards. On the other hand, international relations refer to a way through which states
or an association and individuals in a country interact and impact on one another. The interaction
involves state governments, non-governmental organizations, multinational entities and
international bodies. For instance, issues such as terrorism and anti-money laundering are
challenges experienced throughout the world. Also, considering that they occur on the cross
borders, states come together to establish laws that regulate them. Therefore, the fact that they
fall under international law a concept of international relation clearly illustrates that states are
core to the discussion of international relations.

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References
Leftwich, A., (2009) What Is Politics? The Activity and its Study: A Very Useful Collection of
Essays Examine Different Concepts of Politics As Well As Contrasting Views of the Discipline.
Avingy, H and L. Marsden (2011) Doing Political Science and International Relations: Theories
in Action. An Introduction to Political, Science That Uses Case Studies to Examine a Wide
Range of Theories and Approaches.
Snow D, Brown E (2009) International Relations: The Changing Contcurs of Power. New York:
Longman
Goldstein J (2009) International Relations: Brief Edition. New York: Longman
Smith, R., Vromen. A., Cook. I (2010) Keywords in Australian Politics; Cambridge University
Press
Audrey. S (2009) Race in North America; Origin and Evolution of a Worldview; Third Edition
Boulder, Co: Westview Press
Justice, Estate of Ungar v. Palestinian Authority (2009)
Karl, M., Friedrich E (2013) Manifesto of the Communist Party
Frantz Fanon (2009) The Wretched of the earth
Hobbes. T., Missner M (2009) The Leviathan

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