Rastra Dhoj Karki

International Relations is a scholarly study that focuses on international politics, including state and non-state officials. The organisations involved in International Relations are the United Nations (UN), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, Peace Corps, Kiva, Amnesty International, and others. Jeremy Bentham first used the word "International" in his book Principles of Morals and Legislation in 1789.

Origin
The origin of International Relations may have dated back to the fifth century BC. International Relations started as an academic discipline around the end of the First World War. The focus of this subject was to solve problems between nations, end conflicts, and make peace. But the aim was narrow, and the results were not satisfactory: the focus of International Relations broadened after World War two that included diplomacy, international courts of law, world politics, and more. The first university to dedicate to this subject was the University College of Wales in 1920.
Between 1914 and 1918, many hoped that humans learned their lesson and that the First World War would end all wars. Understanding and acting on the conflicts of nations was essential to International Relations. The first world war started in 1914 and ended in 1918, and the second world war began in 1939 and ended in 1945. The war cost many millions of lives and brought tremendous changes on a global scale: new nations formed, whereas old empires fell.

At the end of World War 1, significant changes occurred: the government replaced the monarchy, the United States became one of the central world powers, countries were made independent, Treaty of Versailles (this treaty will be the cause of World War two, which was humiliating to Germany), and a new organization: known as the League of Nations began. The organization aimed to promote international cooperation and give a sense of international peace and security. But the League of Nations failed to prevent World War 2. The League of Nations had early successes in some international disputes. But did not take extreme actions and showed weaknesses which encouraged Germany to invade. The League of Nations was entirely dependent on the member countries. But they did not support the organization with military force to enforce peace. This way, the League of Nations did not have the power to stop the countries that tried to invade and expand.
When World War 2 ended, changes brought on a global scale: Allied power was victorious, dictatorship in Germany and France ended, strengthened nationalist movements, economic problems such as poverty and unemployment, two superpowers rose (US and USSR), the emergence of third world countries, and creation of United Nations Organizations in 1945.

The United Nations Organization is a worldwide organization responsible for maintaining international peace and security and establishing friendly relations with every country in the world. It is the world's largest and well-known organization. Although the UNO is robust and has solved many conflicts, the organization struggled between the US and the USSR during the cold war era.
The cold war was the tension between the US and the USSR and their respective allies. The cold war spanned between 1947 to 1991. There was no direct fighting between the two superpowers, but they participated in significant regional conflicts against each other. Apart from nuclear development, the two superpowers indirectly fought in psychological warfare, espionage, rivalry at international sports, technological improvements, and the space race. The cold war ends after the dissolution of the Soviet Union (1988-1991).

The world has become a small place because of technological advancements. Although, International Relations has taken on increased importance: it is not an unusual concept introduced in this world. The establishment of treaties between countries since early ages served as the earliest form of International Relations. The features of International Relations are:
International Relations allow countries to help each other, share resources and provide information to confront worldwide issues beyond any specific nation or district. Contemporary worldwide issues incorporate pandemics, psychological oppression, and the climate.
Global relations progress human culture through social trades, diplomacy, and policy improvement.
International relations develop strong trade policies between countries.

Global relations urge encourages travel related to business, the travel industry, and migration, giving people opportunities to promote their lives.
Scholars of International Relations will determine the level at which they will investigate a state's behaviour. The analysis process should examine from the macro-level to the micro-level (looking at the international level first, then to the state level, and finally, to the individual level: political leaders).
International Level: This analysis looks at the international system. The system affects the behaviour of countries, with the variable being that the global system includes the power of each state rather than being independent of them.

State Level: State-level examination analyses how a state's attributes decide its international policies. This type of analysis often views countries as having cultural characteristics based on their religious or social traditions, historical legacy, and analysis of economic and geographic factors.

Individual Level: Individual-level analysis views the leaders of states as being the influencers of foreign policy.
Realism is the attitude of accepting a situation as it is and preparing to deal with it accordingly. It focuses on the notion that states work to increase their power relative to other states. The theory states that the only certainty in the world is power. Therefore, a powerful state in terms of military capability (the most important and reliable form of force) will always outlast its weaker competitors. Self-preservation is the primary theme in realism, as states must always seek strength to protect themselves.

Liberalism is a defining feature of modern democracy, illustrated by the willingness to respect or accept behaviour or opinions different from one's own to describe countries with free and fair elections, the rule of law, and protecting civil liberties. Liberalism recognises that states share broad ties, thus making it challenging to define independent national interests. The theory of liberalism in international relations, therefore, involves the decreased use of military power. Liberal approaches to the study of international relations claim that the consequences of military power outweigh the benefits and that international cooperation is in the interest of every state. It also claims that exercising economic power over military power has proven more effective.
Solutions
Finding a solution to a global concern is necessary, such as the Covid-19 pandemic. Coronavirus is one of the worldwide difficulties of this age. International boundaries do not restrict the pandemic, and Covid-19 has tested the international resolve to cooperate.

In a globalised, interconnected world with its integrated supply-chains, the constant trans-border flow of goods, services, and money, and seamless people-to-people connectivity, are exceptionally vulnerable to pandemics. In this context, the rapid spread of Covid-19 from China, where it first emerged, to the rest of the world is symptomatic of our times. It would be best if collective international action is both necessary and possible because it is in every state's interest: to tackle the pandemic effectively.
In the end, International Relations offer peace among countries, and international trade improves the economy of both countries. It also helps tackle global concerns such as Covid-19, poverty, children's rights, and other problems by countries working together to find a solution. Good International Relations is a win-win position for nations around the world.

(Karki pursues higher education)