2.1 Actors in international relations

‘Actors’ in international relations can be defined as the main organisations, groups or individuals who take part, or ‘make things happen’, in international relations. Actors can be divided into three broad groups, namely state, international organisations and non-state actors, with a number of sub-groups.

Traditionally, states have been viewed as the primary actors in IR, as they are the main entities with the power to make decisions on behalf of their citizens. A state in IR refers to the institutions that govern a specific territory and population, including entities like the military, civil service and public services. Unlike governments, which may change frequently, a state is a more enduring structure. States claim sovereignty, or ultimate authority, over their territories, and this sovereignty is normally recognised both internally by citizens and externally by other states and organisations. States form the foundation of the international system and have the authority to engage in diplomacy, establish treaties and international law. Of course, the power dynamics of states vary, with so-called ‘great powers’ like the US, China and Russia having significant global influence, while so-called ‘weaker’ states may exercise regional power. Nevertheless, over the years, globalisation has progressively introduced many other influential actors involved in IR:

• International organisations: Institutions like the United Nations (UN), World Health Organisation (WHO) and World Trade Organisation (WTO) work to address global issues by facilitating cooperation and setting standards.

Some of the main non-state actors include the following sub-groups:

• Non-governmental organisations (NGOs): NGOs such as Amnesty International or Doctors Without Borders advocate for issues like human rights, environmental protection, and health care, and have the potential to influence global policies.
• Networks: In its simplest form a network is any group of interconnected nodes – actors or groups – that doesn’t have a formal authority structure (like governments or governing bodies) and isn’t primarily commercial or market-based. While many NGOs might be thought of as individual entities, many are connected to each other via relations of collaboration, reciprocity or shared goals in a network. They are referred to as ‘networked actors’. As such there’s an overlap between NGOs and networks.
• Corporations and businesses: Large multinational corporations impact global economies, labour practices, and even political decisions through their global presence and financial power.
• Individuals: Prominent figures like diplomats, activists and everyday citizens can influence international relations through advocacy, cultural exchange or migration.

All the above actors work together or in competition, forming a dynamic web of interactions that drive international relations. For example, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, states, corporations, NGOs and local communities are all stakeholders in the global cobalt market – the cobalt mineral is a key ingredient in electric car and mobile phones batteries – which impacts policies on renewable energy and consumer goods. In a similar way global migration governance relies on the interactions of various actors, such as states, international organisations, NGOs, grassroots movements and migrants themselves.