Introduction
Most universities and tertiary level institutions have integrated the study of international relations as one of their courses. The belief has been that international relations study is relevant in enabling learners to study various aspects of a globalised world. International relations are defined as the relationship between countries in terms of their governance, the roles played by the international alliances and multinational companies from the international point of view.
It studies global as well as foreign issues among different countries and the issues include the state roles, Multinational corporations, non governmental organizations and inter-governmental organizations .The following essay tries to relate the concept of studying the international relations and in particular the notion that there is no need of studying the international relations. The paper presents a case for and against the study of international relations and a conclusion based on the weight of the two sides.
Case for the study of international relations
It is vital for one to study international relations so as to be familiar with the many issues that continuous to understand the problems that are associated with the international relations such as terrorism and crime, violation of human rights, natural calamities such as floods,draught,earthquakes e.t.c and hence device constructive proposals of addressing these issues. Whenever a crisis hits a country, other nations cooperate in order to save the citizens from extreme suffering (Dudley, 2006).
Thus a student needs to know the countries that collaborates with his or her country and those that do not relate well because he or she may need to import something or conduct business with a country which is an enemy of the state and as far as there is a breach of contract, then the other person may not be liable for the damages caused.
The students need to study the international relations so as to get acquainted with the cultures, institutions, ethnicities as well as the interactions among various states. This knowledge is important because it is an eye opener on the part of the student as he or she gets to know about the global issues and policies (Xintian, 2009).
The students gets a wider view on how certain governments are run and this may assist him or her in the future as he or she becomes a leader whereby there is international relations. Studying international relations is important especially for those students who are studying abroad because they will have the knowledge about the culture and institutions that are present in the country where they are studying and thus avoid violating the laws of that country hence promoting peaceful coexistence.
International relations as a discipline usually related closely to various disciplines such as international law, history, economics, politics, sociology and psychology. It also compliments these subjects as far as international phenomena is concerned and so the students gets familiar with such aspects as the international organizations that exists, international treaties among others.
Learning international relations enables one to know about the policies that different institutuins, corporations as well as governments adopts and this is important in decision making e.g. many banks that have operations in different countries world wide have financial sanctions and prohibition of business activity that are aimed at encouraging a change in behavior of target country, prevent and suppress the financing of terrorists and terrorist attacks e.t.c.The student thus will be able to know which countries are under sanctions by the international community and the reasons why the sanctions are imposed (Gray, 2004, p.66-78).
Also, it’s important for a student to study international law because he or she can benefit an international job in a foreign country. As countries continue to cooperate with one another for mutual benefit, international careers are being created.
There are many jobs that are associated with international relations such as law, on-government organizations, international business and diplomatic services such as ambassadors and high commissions. The students thus can be able to know which countries are conducive to work in as far as security and other factors are concerned.
Case against the study of international relations
There are criticisms however concerning the study of international relations for instance the fact that not all students who study the discipline will end up in an international career or a job concerning the international relations. In studying international relations, students usually learn certain things that is irrelevant as far as their normal life concerned e.g. the political status of a given country does not involve them as far as life after school is concerned an thus rendering the discipline as irrelevant.
Also international relations as a discipline cannot be applied in domestic affairs but only in international matters and therefore those students who will not get an international job or a job that involves the discipline not have a chance to exercise what they have learnt in school fully(Heer,2003,p.37-65).
Conclusion
Despite many criticisms and negative arguments about its study, International relations as a discipline cannot be scrapped all together in school curriculums due to the numerous advantages that it poses on the students. It should be supported and those teaching the discipline should be equipped with the current issues. It is a vital subject that should be encouraged in almost all the schools so as to give students an overview of what goes around the rest of the world.
Reference List
Dudley, P. (February 22, 2006). Embassy: Why Study International Relations in Canada? Canada: The Hill Times Publishing Inc. Web.
Gray, P. (2004).Studies in International Relations. Eastbourne East Sussex: Sussex Academic Press. Pg.66-78.
Heer, J. (2003).The Philosopher. Boston: Boston Globe. Pg.37-65.
Xintian, Y. (2009). Combining Research on Cultural Theory and International Relations. China: Xinhua Press. Web.