2.2 Issues in international relations

‘Issues’ can be defined as the main topics or subjects that feature in international relations, and arise in the interactions between actors. The notion of issues is essential in defining the scope of international relations, or what they are ‘about’. Also issues often overlap, showing how interconnected global challenges are. To mention only some of the most important issues in IR these include:

• Political issues: These include diplomacy, state sovereignty and international law. For instance, as you will see in Section 3 of the course, the sovereignty of some African states is central to how they negotiate with foreign states, balancing their independence with the benefits of foreign investment or military support.
• Military and security issues: Security issues are foundational in IR and include war, peace and terrorism. Traditionally focused on state protection, security involves non-state threats like terrorism and cybersecurity. For example, the UK’s policies to combat international terrorism show how security concerns influence everything from foreign policy to local law enforcement, impacting the everyday lives of citizens.
• Economic issues: Economic issues in IR address wealth creation, trade, and inequality. They include trade agreements, investment flows, and labour standards. For example, global competition for resources like oil and minerals highlights economic competition, especially between powerful states like China and the US, who are competing for influence in African markets to secure access to raw materials.
• Environmental issues: Environmental issues have increasingly become prominent in IR due to climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. These issues require international cooperation, as seen in global climate agreements. For example, competition over resources like cobalt has environmental implications, affecting mining practices in countries like Congo and influencing sustainable energy policies globally.
• Social and cultural issues: These issues involve cultural exchanges, identity conflicts, and social norms. IR examines how globalisation impacts local cultures, religious identities and migration patterns. Social issues often overlap with political issues, as seen, for example, in debates over human rights or refugee protection.

Consequently, each issue area can significantly affect others. For instance, military interventions may destabilise regions, impacting trade and human rights, while environmental crises like deforestation and pollution affect resource availability and can increase the risk of conflict.