Free International Relations Essay Examples & Topics

Free International Relations Essay Examples & Topics

865 samples

The modern world is deeply interconnected. The relationships between nation-states, non-governmental organizations, and multinational corporations are quite complex. International relations (or IR for short) are exactly the study of those relationships. They are concerned with issues such as global politics and foreign policy, as well as many others.

To write an international relations essay, you should learn about different theoretical frameworks. These theories help understand the interactions between states, the purpose of policies, the history of international systems, etc. Some of the main types of international relations theories are as follows:

Realism deals with “real life.” It attempts to emphasize the importance of national and international security. The fields that are studied most within this theory are history, political science, and economics.

Constructivism analyzes constructed state identities. It is involved with cultural studies as well as sociology and social policy.

Finally, Marxism is the theory that mainly concerns itself with inequalities and socioeconomic imbalances. It is most critical of the international capitalist system and attempts to deconstruct class struggle and marginalization.

It is easy to see why international relations are important. With such a broad subject matter, it is also easy to get lost. That’s why our experts have compiled several international relations essay topics here. We have also collected useful advice and samples for you to study.

How to Pick an International Relations Essay Topic

An appropriate topic is a fundamental part of a successful international relations essay. Considering the possible ideas, selecting an area that is outside your expertise can be detrimental. Therefore, we have created a guide to making the right choice for your assignment.

To pick the right topic, try these steps:

  1. Brainstorm ideas.

One of the vital steps in writing any academic work is the first one. Before conducting any research, write down the ideas that are already present in your mind. Maybe you already have a particular area you want to talk about. For example, you can explore feminism or state sovereignty. Rely on what you know best and what interests you most.

  1. Check credible sources.

Once you have a general idea of what you want to focus on, it is time to find sources. Your best bet is to concentrate on works by established authors in the field of IR (e.g., Alexander Wendt). Of course, you may also rely on websites from well-known organizations. Look for reports and articles online. Check that the information you are acquiring is recent and up to date.

  1. Make sure your ideas aren’t too broad…

With IR being such a multidisciplinary field, it is easy to get swarmed by thoughts. Just remember that you still have a word limit to follow! Writing an essay on climate change and international relations may be way too extensive of a subject. Instead, focus on something feasible yet related – like the Green Theory.

  1. But also not too specific!

At the same time, choosing a topic that is way too narrow could prove a challenge in its own right. You could encounter trouble in trying to find credible sources. You may find yourself at a loss for what to do for your next step. In this case, you might want to change the topic before it’s too late!

  1. Strive to research.

If you have an idea that is interesting to you, this step will not be a problem. You need to be motivated to find enough valuable sources and write a high-quality essay. It helps to look at authors with differing points of view. This way, you’ll create a compelling argument.

These recommendations should help you write your IR essay. If you still have trouble choosing the right idea, let our topic generator do that for you.

13 International Relations Topics for Essay

Now that you know how to select the perfect topic for your essay, we can begin to do just that. Below you will find a list of 13 international relations essay topics. They will prove helpful in your homework or exam writing practice.

You can use these ideas:

  1. Green Theory – environmental action in international relations.
  2. How liberalism in British politics led to Brexit.
  3. Idealism vs. realism in global diplomacy.
  4. Technology as the silent factor in international relations.
  5. Economic reasons for the start of World War II.
  6. The International Monetary Fund in political economy.
  7. The end of the Cold War through the perspective of realist theory.
  8. A brief assessment of the International Law.
  9. Regulation of international non-governmental organizations.
  10. The role of soft and hard power in current international relations.
  11. Modern diplomacy between the governments of Russia and China.
  12. Feminist theories in the study of international relations.
  13. A Marxist critique of globalization.

As it stands, this list could go on forever. We hope that we managed to illustrate just how diverse the ideas for an international relations essay could be.

5 International Relations Essay Questions

Even after reading through this step-by-step guide and all the topics, you may still find yourself hesitating. This isn’t surprising. The ideas that must be swirling in your head right now would overwhelm anyone!

Here you will find 5 international relations essay questions that will help direct your workflow:

1. What is the difference between classical realism and neorealism?

Introduce realist theory and outline its evolution. Explain the main ideas behind classical realism and neorealism. What were the reasons for the shift between theories?

2. What is the impact of Brexit on the European Union’s foreign policy?

Explain the concept of Brexit. Evaluate the relationship of the European Union with the UK before Brexit. Using literature, illustrate the difference between the EU foreign policy before and after Brexit.

3. Do multinational corporations exploit developing countries?

Outline what makes a corporation multinational. What makes a country developing? Evaluate the relative harms and benefits of a multinational corporation settling in a developing country. Refer to Marxist theory for that purpose. What do you think can be done to minimize the harm?

4. How useful is the distinction between absolute and comparative advantage?

Summarize the theory behind the terms. Compare and contrast the concepts of absolute and comparative advantage. In your opinion, how important is the difference between the two notions?

5. Is constructivism a valid theory in international relations?

Illustrate the ideas behind constructivism and the evolution of the theory. Contrast constructivism against other well-known frameworks. Justify whether you think it is useful.

We are not underestimating the importance of an international relations essay. It is an extensive and complicated field of study. Despite that fact, we still hope that you managed to find this guide useful! Now proceed to look through some international relations essay examples below.

Thank you for reading!

865 Best Essay Examples on International Relations

Geopolitics: The Middle East Shatterbelt

These conflicts were the areas of open confrontation of interests between the U.S.and the Soviet Union, as they backed up different sides and aimed at reducing the influence of opponents in this part of the [...]
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 696

Nuclear Weapons Should Be Abolished

Without abolishing the nuclear weapons, the danger that will always be there is that more and more states will seek to obtain these weapons and this will eventually lead to an increase in the number [...]
  • 5
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1095

“Clash of Ignorance” by Edward Said

The development of technologies and the improvement of business, education, and other services have led to the continuous intercourse between people of various cultures and religions. Huntington introduced the theory that the post-Cold War world [...]
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1128

Neorealism and Traditional Realism

On the other hand, neo-realists say that the system is defined by anarchy and the reaction of states to anarchy is dependent on the power and capability of the state.
  • 5
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 870

The Israeli – Palestinian Conflict

The purpose of this study is to establish the causes and the consequences of the Israeli Palestinian conflict. The question which this study seeks to address include what is the relationship between the conflict and [...]
  • Pages: 8
  • Words: 2608

United Nations Strengths and Weaknesses

The need to replace the League of Nations with the United Nations was largely inspired by the failure of the League of Nations to prevent the outbreak of war among nations.
  • 3.7
  • Pages: 10
  • Words: 2763

United Nations and World Peace

The rules and policies produced by the United Nations are not centered on a global involvement in de-weaponizing countries, as everyone is full of fear that a group of terrorists will be able to overtake [...]
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 657

Indian Modernization and Westernization

The societal changes in India can be approached from a number of perspectives including Sanskritization, westernization, Little/Great Traditions, and the dialectical concept.
  • Pages: 12
  • Words: 3322

International Relations: Realism in the 21st Century

Even the balance of power theory has been found to be inaccurate and the tendency of making self serving adjustments to avoid criticisms has also contributed to the fact that realism in international relation is [...]
  • Pages: 8
  • Words: 2161

Power and Interdependence

The first part of the article investigates the most important issues of the book which are relationship between power and interdependence, explanation of change in international regimes and the ideal type of complex interdependence.
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 593

Israel Palestine Conflict

The next phase of the conflict ranged from the year 1948 to the year 1967-a phase that was marked by the time the state of Israel was declared and the time the six days war [...]
  • 5
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1503

Global Conflict Likelihood

The world is changing rapidly and the changes are likely to lead to a global conflict in the future. The awareness will rekindle the animosities that existed between the civilizations in the past and each [...]
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 965

Wars in the Middle East

Answering the following question will help understand the war is unjust, why is Iraq and Afghanistan the focus regarding attacks on terrorism, are the allegations against the Middle East be substantiated, is there sinister motive [...]
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 598

Peace and Conflict Resolution: External Intervention

This is mainly due to the root cause of the conflict in reference to internal and external factors and the possible consequences of the intervention to the parties involved, citizen and the world as a [...]
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 937

Land Grabbing Causes and Problems

Privatization of land among developing countries is to blame for the consequences of land grabbing by foreign investors. The problem of land grabbing requires world attention in ensuring access to food security, and environmental preservation [...]
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 950

Difference Between Weak and Strong States by Krasner

He has given numerous examples of today's failing states and has compared them with the stronger and successful states of the world. Unfortunately, all these failures and weaker states are the poorest of the poor [...]
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 442

Collective Security

The goal of the collective security was to institute peace and stability whereas the system of balance of power helped to maintain the status quo particularly that of the superpowers.
  • 1
  • Pages: 7
  • Words: 2062

Gaza-Israel Conflict: History and Portents

The Gaza-Israel conflict took a new dimension following the election of the Hamas Party in 2005. The topic "History of the Gaza-Israel Conflict" will focus on the issues surrounding the conflict experienced in Gaza.
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 563

World Food Program

Addressing risks to food and safety Food safety and public health entail core issues to the policies of the WFP in addressing food security across the globe.
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1105

The Vital Role of Diplomacy in International Relations

Diplomacy can be defined as the process of communication and negotiation between official representatives of a state or territory with representatives of another party with the purpose to minimize conflict and maximize peaceful cooperation such [...]
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 643

Do the Benefits of Globalization Outweigh the Costs?

Critics also argue that globalization has led to the spread of sweatshops and exploitation of workers from third world countries. However, critics of globalization argue that it has led to the erosion of national borders [...]
  • 2.8
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 1056

Does the American Government Bully the World?

From the war in Iraqi, Oklahoma City bombings the NASA space shuttle upheaval, the September 11 attack, the war in Afghanistan and the current Operation Iraqi Freedom, American government has become the subject of debate [...]
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1449

Nationalism in International Relations

Given this interplay of international relations and nationalism, this paper examines the view that nationalism has been and continues to be the most significant force in international relations.
  • 3
  • Pages: 10
  • Words: 2842

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

Under the treaty, the countries that had already developed nuclear weapons, "United States, the Soviet Union, and the United Kingdom", and other countries that had not developed the weapons signed the treaty to limit mobility [...]
  • 5
  • Pages: 8
  • Words: 2276

The International Problem of HIV/AIDS in Modern World

In addition, the effects of HIV/AIDS today are not only confined to the families and individuals infected, but also involve the political, economic, and social factors of the country and people in the country.
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1374

Problems Facing the United Nations

The third problem facing the United Nations in the current international system is the gap between the poor and the rich states.
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1186

Supra-state actors

After the end of the cold war between nations, the supremacy of state-centric political and military to dictate the local and international politics have severely diminished over the years.
  • Pages: 9
  • Words: 2477

Visa-free Entry to all Countries

Visa-free entry to all countries would be of great benefit to them. Visa-free entry to all countries would also be of utmost benefit to governments.
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 531

“Who Is a Refugee?” by Andrew E. Shacknove

He draws a conclusion that the refugee status could be granted solely to persons whose government does not protect their basic needs, who have no other way but to seek international restitution of such needs, [...]
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 329

The Third World: Concept and Controversy

The Third World, which is popularly referred to the countries of the south or developing countries, consists of many states in Africa, Caribbean, South America, Asia, and those in Central America.
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1131

Arrogance of Power

The title of the essay sums up his topic of interest."The Arrogance of Power" is a title that puts the issues that are addressed by this essay into perspective.
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 831

World Systems Theory by Immanuel Wallerstein

The system with the core and periphery characteristics was developed by Immanuel Wallerstein and is called World Systems Theory, and it includes the third group of states recognized as semi-peripheral that possess the qualities of [...]
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 624

Classical and Structural Realism

The above-mentioned helps to explain the particulars of the Realist conceptualisation of power in IR, as such that 'comes out of the gun's barrel', on the one hand, and serves as the main indication of [...]
  • Pages: 11
  • Words: 3046

The Future of NATO

The key member of the alliance in terms of finance and military capability enabled the United States to accomplish its mission as envisaged in the formation of the alliance.
  • Pages: 13
  • Words: 3576

International Relations: Globalization and State Power

In most cases, globalization means the extensive integration of multiple economies to the point where the significance of national or international networks declines allowing the emergence of national and global networks.
  • Pages: 7
  • Words: 1966

Protectionism in the Age of Globalization

On the one hand, globalization erases many international boundaries to stabilize fair trade and cooperation, and protectionism is necessary to maintain the national identity and economic prosperity of each country separately.
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 599

How State Sovereignty is Challenged Today

Since the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, the concept of a sovereign has become apparent and seems to be accepted as a matter-of-course. The main problem of the sovereignty principle is that it is contradictory [...]
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 906

The ‘Periphery’ and The ‘Core’ of the World

The world can be split into two main world regions - the 'periphery' and the ' core.' The core nations essentially own and control the main means of production in the world and monopolize the [...]
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1105

International Relations: Events Shaping the View

The winners of the war decided to form the United Nations Organization to prevent similar disasters in the future. The event would change the relationship between the United States of America and the Middle East.
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 563

Maritime Piracy

Maritime Piracy as Security and Economic Threat Among the least understood international security danger is the struggle to contain piracy in the Gulf of Aden, Somalia, and the Indian Ocean.
  • 1
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 639

Islands Dispute in the Persian Gulf: Iran and UAE

This big concern about the islands was more of a regional matter than anything else, and in that case, there were unsuccessful interventions by the British forces in the late 1960s, to ensure that both [...]
  • Pages: 6
  • Words: 1649

Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Foreign Policy

In regards to the CIA, the policy empowered the CIA in doing the spying mission of nations or leaders allied to communism. On the U.S.economy, the policy aimed to protect the economy from the adverse [...]
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 592

Global Food Crisis: Political Economy Perspective

In effect, the loss of power to international institutions, decentralization of resources and privatization of powers are political economic factors that have worsened political and economic stability of developing countries making them more vulnerable to [...]
  • Pages: 6
  • Words: 1633

The Role of Faith in the US-Middle East Foreign Policy

Moreover, the belief that the US was the nation assigned the role of fulfilling God's promise to his people and the whole of humanity encouraged them to contribute to the well-being of settlers and natives [...]
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 957

Putin’s 2007 Munich Speech and Policies of the West

However, the signs of the impending catastrophe were visible long before the outlaw recognition of the so-called "LNR and DNR" and even before the launch of this Donbas issue and unacceptable Crimea annexation.
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 597

The Concepts of International Regimes

The West, on the other hand, believes that the nuclear armament drive by these nations is a threat to the rest of the world, hence their collective efforts to avert such a crisis.
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 932

Warlordism Through the Looking Glass

As a resultant effect, expanding markets allow warlords to buy and sell commodities throughout the globe; moreover, they continue to take advantage of valuable natural resources in the locality, attracting foreign imperialists on the spot, [...]
  • Pages: 7
  • Words: 1982

International Humanitarian Law

In this case, it is vital to focus on the failure to enforce the principles of IHL and greater media coverage of war brutalities.
  • 5
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 831

Policy Analysis and Evaluation

The greatest of the new policy's contents was the reduction of the interest rates to 5%. The UAE, in their quest to attain economic leadership, ended up creating one of the biggest rifts between the [...]
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 854

Foreign Policy and Politics

The levels of analysis include: the system level- in which a particular state is almost defined by the international system, for instance, when the US and USSR were the most powerful states, other state behaviours [...]
  • Pages: 14
  • Words: 4200

The Gulf Cooperation Council

Before the establishment of the GCC, stability and regional security of GCC countries were threatened by a number of factors including the Iranian revolution, the Iraq-Iran war, and unrest within the member states caused by [...]
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1049

Pakistan Versus The USA

Gladstone argues that the Pakistan's support of unlawful terrorist groups such as the Taliban and the Haqqani have undermined the efforts of the United States of America to restore peace and calm in the Middle [...]
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1139

United States Foreign Policy

This has given it a dominant position in the world political arena and it has also influenced how it deals with other nations."The diplomatic affairs of this country are always under the guidance of the [...]
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 1043

Ivo Andric’s Bridge on the Drina Review

The main historical event with which the literary work begins is the heyday of the Ottoman Empire and ends with the events that affected the beginning of the First World War.
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 982

Crucial Functions of State Borders

For instance, while the borders within the EU might seem quite similar to those between the U.S.and Mexico and the U.S.and Canada, there are significant differences in how the purpose of these borders is perceived [...]
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 896

Argumentative Essay: Uighur Genocide

A total of 149 nations, including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Russia, and China, ratified the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
  • Pages: 6
  • Words: 1645

The Millennium Development Goals

The Millennium Development Goals are the eight objectives, which are intended to improve the well being and stability in the world.
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1357

Large Hadron Collider Analysis

In order to establish the hypothesis, the LHC is designed likened as the way the universe is during its birth to extract those fundamental particles that acts on it during its explosion and how this [...]
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 2080

“The New Silk Roads” Book by Peter Frankopan

Indeed, given the quite specific and possibly controversial nature of the differences between the line of managing economic and political issues in China and the Western states, the necessity to incorporate compromises into the management [...]
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 2070

Pakistan’s Inter-Service Intelligence

The institution was formed to solve the problem of the intelligence failure in the collection of information and because of lack of coordination among the Pakistani forces.
  • 2
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 820

Cambodia-Vietnam Border Dispute

In conclusion, it is possible to note that the dispute over the Hindu temple between Cambodia and Thailand was partially resolved in 2013.
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 562

Multinational Corporations and Its Relations

The sales of the two-hundred best performing corporations amount to a quarter of the global economic activity meaning the revenues of just two-hundred multinational companies are greater than the economies of all states combined globally, [...]
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 599

Security Dilemma in the Israel-Palestine War

War as a result of Security Dilemma is said to be constituted by these different variables, thus, resulting in the existence of war between the nations, in this case war between nations occurs as a [...]
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1548

The Democratic Peace Theory: Merits and Demerits

Chioza et al.say that among the reasons that makes it possible to intertwine the democratic peace theory with the liberal theory is that many countries are in dire need of peace. There is a good [...]
  • Pages: 10
  • Words: 2776

Internet Governance Concept and Scope

The rapid growth and development of the Internet in many countries all over the world stirred concerns over the introduction of a multi-stakeholder Internet governance rather than giving the United States full control over the [...]
  • Pages: 12
  • Words: 3065

The Polarized World of Globalization

Vandana2 Shiva in the article The Polarized World of Globalization, laments the effects globalization; she is of the opinion that globalization has negative social, political and economic effects.
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 568

Humanitarian Intervention in International Society

The principle responsibility and practice of humanitarian intervention carried out by the international community is to prevent unnecessary deaths, suffering and help in protecting human rights in situations where the sovereign state is either unwilling [...]
  • 1
  • Pages: 6
  • Words: 1623

North American Free Trade Agreement

The paper will discuss the backgroundto the formation of the agreement, its terms and the effects that the agreement has impacted in the politics and the economies of three member countries.
  • Pages: 8
  • Words: 2173

The Berlin Conference and Its Results

As a result of the conference, certain decisions were made regarding the division of Africa among the European countries, and the countries' rights to their zones of influence and colonial agreements between them were recognized.
  • Pages: 1
  • Words: 278

“Introduction to International Relations” by Michael Cox

Being prepared by the professionals who work at the London School of Economics and Political Science, the University of London International Programs, and the Political Science Department of the University of Prince Edward Island, it [...]
  • Pages: 11
  • Words: 2793

The United States: Covert and Clandestine Operations

Covert actions or operations in the United States emerged in the 1940s after the creation of the Central Intelligence Agency. That being the case, "a covert operation ensures the identity of the performer or sponsor [...]
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 569

The role of Islam in Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy

As a country deeply rooted in Islam as the source of political ideology, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has continued to shape its international relations based on the staunch belief and practice of the Islamic [...]
  • Pages: 10
  • Words: 2878

Australia and International Relations Challenges

In the cold war era, Australia along with the world did not shy away from the use of military power because the war was seen as an ideological battle that would assist in the end [...]
  • Pages: 10
  • Words: 3084

Canadian Softwood Lumber Dispute

However, demand for the Canadian lumber in the United States was higher earlier in 1962 and there were very minimal understandings between these two countries.[2] The situation only worsened in 1982, the period when the [...]
  • Pages: 11
  • Words: 2940

NATO’S Border with Russia News Story and Maslow Theory

From this article, I learned about the complex relationship between NATO and Russia and the strategic importance of Finland's decision to join NATO. Overall, the article emphasizes the influence of NATO's presence and the tension [...]
  • Pages: 1
  • Words: 330

Liberal International Order’s Existence and Future

However, the primary assumption of these ideas is the existence of a liberal international order, which refers to a system of interconnected, regulated connections founded on political, economic, and international liberalism. To conclude, the idea [...]
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 864

Discussion: Definition of a Great Power

Both cooperative and conflictive behaviors of great powers within the international system are discussed in the literature on great-power foreign policy.
  • Pages: 1
  • Words: 308
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