2.3 Debates in international relations

Debates in IR help us interpret the motivations and outcomes of global interactions. For example, these debates might be competing views as to whether peace is possible, or how human rights can be respected, or how the environment might be protected. There are also different theories or traditions of thought in IR, that is, general academic approaches that seek to explain how international relations ‘work’ at a more general level. In particular:

• The first use of debates refers to the different views or positions there might be on a particular issue. In the main it refers to the different views that those analysing a problem or a challenge might take, but such things cross over into the ‘real world’ as well. Examples might include who was responsible for starting a conflict, or how it might be resolved; whether the action of a state is in its national interest; whether a country opening up to more international trade will improve livelihoods or whether changes to international law can help to improve the protection of human rights. So, in this substantive guise, debates tie in with both issues and actors discussed already.
• The second use of debates is somewhat more abstract – that is a further step removed from the ‘nitty gritty’ of everyday international relations and the problems it presents. This second use refers to the theories that scholars of IR use to research into and draw conclusions about international relations. Theories might be quite specific – a series of claims about a particular field of IR like security or peace. Or they might be general theories – broader, abstract ways of understanding IR. Debates in this theoretical sense also connects with the discussion of actors and issues you have already read about. In part, this is because different theoretical traditions have different takes on who the key actors are in international relations, and what the most important issues are. You can read more about these theories in Section 5 of this course.

Having explored the different debates in IR, you can now turn to the first case study, which examines the growing competition among powerful states for influence and resources in Africa. At this stage, the focus will shift away from theoretical traditions to the practical differences in debates on global challenges. This case study provides a lens for analysing competing interests and their broader implications for international relations.