Free International Relations Essay Examples & Topics
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:
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.
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.
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.
…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!
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:
Green Theory – environmental action in international relations.
How liberalism in British politics led to Brexit.
Idealism vs. realism in global diplomacy.
Technology as the silent factor in international relations.
Economic reasons for the start of World War II.
The International Monetary Fund in political economy.
The end of the Cold War through the perspective of realist theory.
A brief assessment of the International Law.
Regulation of international non-governmental organizations.
The role of soft and hard power in current international relations.
Modern diplomacy between the governments of Russia and China.
Feminist theories in the study of international relations.
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!
911 Best Essay Examples on International Relations
Although the book covers multiple aspects of Putin's policies and their importance in reinforcing Russia's role in the world, the primary focus of the text is still on international relations.
The research focuses on the reasons for Russia's targeting of ethnic Tajik residents and workers. The writer excellently shows the effect of Russia's expulsion of the ethnic Tajik migrants.
He takes a closer look at the thoughts of the Transitional National Council, the Muammar Gaddafi's government and the Western Powers. There is mutual mistrust between the rebels and NATO.
The Arabic Conscience is the song that portrays the spiritual level of Arabs that arouses deep respect for the intentions they have peace and forgiveness.
96 "Turkey has put a higher priority to Iraq's territorial integrity due to its desire to thwart the emergence of independent Iraqi Kurdish state that could serve as a model for separatist Turkish Kurds," who [...]
When in the middle of the Twentieth century the United Soviets seized its power on the territory of the Czech Republic, the relationship between the two countries cooled immediately.
The national interest for the United States is to have peace all over the world, freedom for all and finally to create opportunities for all nations to develop.
This might have had a more clear approach if North Korea had in place a constitution that reflected the will of the people and not that of the leadership.
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 [...]
Though both of the articles are on the same exact topic: the historical visit of the United States' President to India in order to establish mutually beneficial relationships there still are the differences in the [...]
The forces of Jihad and the forces of McWorld are fighting for sovereignty and neither supports democracy. It is the decentralization of confederations that may save democracy, according to Barber.
Two of the views of the world order that gained recognition are the ideas of Thomas Barnett, in which the famous strategist explains the strategies of new warfare, and Michael Klare, the author of the [...]
Growing usage of machines has seen their primary energy source, oil, becoming a major aspect in the economies of the majority of countries and the global economy as a whole.
The fist chapter strictly postulates the main dangers of nuclear proliferation; he reminds of the cold war adventures and applies to the present status The next subsequent four chapters explain the technical issues of the [...]
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 [...]
Western donors have in the recent past been criticized of giving donations to the third world countries then demanding from the same nations that they spend a significant portion of the aid on goods and [...]
The, authors of the book, Relin and Mortenson, approach the post September 11 world with the argument that the most vital weapon for the US to fight the extremism of Islam in the turbulent region [...]
A connection to Greg Mortenson, in this case, is again important in that his understanding of the significance of effective institutions as opposed to personalities is clear.
The author of the article Another Intelligence Twist looks at the action of the Bush administration against North Korea based on the intelligence report of the CIA regarding its alleged uranium enrichment program.
The Kuwaiti attack by Iraq saw the torching of oil fields, the death of several Iraq and Kuwaiti soldiers as well as the citizens of the two countries.
This is to say Jordan is the Arab part of Palestine The population residing in Palestine are regarded as Palestinians and so are the residents of Israel and Jordan.
In addition to the rehabilitation of schools, buildings within the Ministry of Education were also reconstructed. The financial aid has enabled reconstruction of various economic sectors such as education, health and infrastructure.
The major problem that is equally facing both parties is the lack of political will or good will from their respective citizens which is a crucial catalyst for sustaining the search for peace process.
The magnitude of the conflicts continues to increase every single day, especially due to the increased value of the islands with the discovery of oil fields.
ENP Action Plans sets out the terms of engagement between the European Union and each of the nations and the relevant political and economic agenda with a timeline perspective.
During the period of the Second World War, majority of the Koreans were made to work as slaves in coal mines. Majority of the Koreans have remained stuck to their nationality despite the growth in [...]
Thus, the concept of citizenship under the new trend of globalization has led to a change in the concept of citizenship. Globalization has led to the decline of citizenship and the authority of the nation-state.
However because there is lack of tangible mutual commitment to cooperation, each party has the freedom to ride free, and each of them wants the other party to give up so as to remain with [...]
On the other hand, the prime minister is the head of the cabinet, with the power to making decisions before consultations with the members of the National Assembly.
For instance, he uses articles and books such as 'the dispute in the South China sea' and 'Flashpoint Spartly' as a summary of the goings-on in his area of study.
The economic world systems are bipolar in nature, where the world is divided into two types of economic powers, the rich and the poor nations in the world.
President Obama explains the situation of the war in Afghanistan and the efforts that the United States has made regarding the war, but first begins by explaining the cause of the war.
This essay examines the Israeli-Palestine conflict and the US-China relationship concerning perceptions about human rights and human rights violations. China on its part accuses the US of human rights violations in its own country and [...]
During the Cold, War China felt that the instrument of peacekeeping operations was exploited as a tool by the superpowers to further their interests and not the interests of the nations involved.
Saudi Arabia with its advantage of having the largest known proven deposits of oil in the world and being the 'keeper of the Islamic Faith' has a significant influence on the development and policies of [...]
On the contrary "The leaders...cater to the ignorance and prejudice of the voters". Feminism is seen as one of the instruments to provoke modern people get at the root of injustice and change the system [...]
The book 'The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty First Century' is dedicated to the presenting of modern great changes covering technological and communicative lighting swift advances putting people in touch through [...]
In addition, it will scrutinize the North and South Korean economies, and political differences and barriers of the reunification process, as inter-Korean unification is an expensive and hard process because of the huge political and [...]
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.
This essay discusses the advent or source of the hegemonic power of the US and how it has been used to control the domestic and foreign policy of foreign countries.
The signing of the Sino-Japanese Long-Term Trade Agreement and the treaty of Peace and Friendship in 1978 signaled the beginning of political and economic cooperation between China and Japan.
The orderliness of the Muslim community worldwide is upheld by the pillars of the hierarchical principle of religious difference, which operates through the many institutions of power in society and through the citation of Prophetic [...]
The gradual growth in responsibilities and funding of the military, the seeming need for the development of defense forces due to terrorism, and the rising number of humanitarian support missions that are led by the [...]
The country's legal system comprise of Islamic law and civil codes blended together and constituted by four categories of justice, the highest being the Supreme Constitutional Court, then the Court of Cessation, the seven courts [...]
At the moment, close to two thirds of the members of the population in Luxembourg strongly support the position that their country occupies within the European Union.
This is a theory that was put down by one of the renowned political scientists Samuel P Huntington, trying to explain that differences in people's religious and cultural identities will likely lead to war in [...]
France, Luxemburg, and Holland decided to get together to establish a small union, it was the first root of the European Union. It is a double-sided advantage for consumers and producers of the European Union.
The national defense strategy of the USA is aimed to ensure the liberty, opportunity, and prosperity of its citizens. In the new century, the global security environment is badly affected by the increasing antisocial activities [...]
Bornstein is one of the best books dealing with the subject of the borderline between the West Bank and Israel, as well as with its impact on the lives of Israeli and Palestinian citizens.
In fact, already half a century, after the beginning of the decline of the British Empire, there is a dilemma of a problem of the choice of the policy format in the field of defense, [...]
The information obtained from the sources will be thoroughly evaluated and shaped into a coherent research focusing on the peculiarities of the Russian foreign policy and the issues related to it.
The strategy has been dubbed the "Green New deal" which indicates that the state is now focusing on ecological innovations, but there are still more questions on whether the United States can finance the advancement [...]
Foreign aid of any kind is offered for the benefit of the receiving country but the donor country may equally benefit indirectly or directly in the event that it wishes to attain any of the [...]
The wide gap which is portrayed in the government business relations in the two states has resulted in to different rates in the economic transition both in the former past periods as well as the [...]
In this regard, the country has been at the forefront of encouraging members states to join in the development of policies that would lead to higher higher degrees of freedom in the media.
If enough governments and peoples say that these weapons are wrong, it will be increasingly difficult for the governments of nuclear states to continue to defend their legitimacy.
During the latest years the demographic situations in Russia have always become the topic of great concern on the part of the government authorities of the Russian Federation and of mass media.
Increase of American ascendance over the international scheme of things to the fullest by means of averting the materialization of adversary powers in Europe and East Asia.
In that sense, political issues in the context of international relations is more sensitive, as the image of the international relations is shaped by the political affairs, and military actions which often involves the participation [...]
On the other hand, Iraq-Kuwait war was a conflict between the Republic of Iraq and State of Kuwait that saw a seven month occupation of Kuwait by Iraq.
The supremacy of pride in Confucianism civilization is present in the nationalists in China. In Chinese nationalism nowadays, Intellectuals contribute significantly and they have become a major dividing force in the politics and ideology of [...]
Finally, the moral implications that lead to the distribution of aid, usually described as impartial and neutral, do not consider the consequences that arise in regards to the political and military implications of the conflict.
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 [...]
In 1947, when the United Nations approved a partition plan for what was then a British mandate, the Zionists realized that they had gambled on the right horse. The war of 1948 became the finest [...]
The defense policies of Canada and America have differed for instance; disputes arose due to the Vietnam War, the Iraq war, the status of Cuba, and the war on terrorism.
To address the actual problems in international affairs, it is important to consider the relationship between the strong powers of the world and the weak nations which are very well explained by the famous statement [...]
In responding to this pertinent question concerning the validity of spillover in the political integration of the European states, it is important to comprehend that the political spillover is evaluated to be less impractical compared [...]
For the individuals who had designed the plan for the invasion of Iraq, they dangerously simplified it to the extent that they ignored some of the bitter realities that are today open not only to [...]
Here the problem is each perceives the existence of the other as a state as a threat to its existence. In such a situation what is the way of providing a solution to the conflict [...]
To get to the root of the reasons that made the appeasement policy so popular in Britain and also making the then prime minister Chamberlain a hero, one must look deeply at the French and [...]
This essay aims to explain the causes of the present crisis in Darfur, the actions of the main actors involved, and the response of the International community.
The current economic crisis has revealed the perverse impact of the transnational corporations, such that even the economically superpowers like the U.S.and European countries are helpless against the transgressions of the transnational companies and other [...]
The civil war came to an end with the existence of two Chinas: the mainland known as the People's Republic of China and Taiwan known as the Republic of China.
The effect of personality on US foreign policy is as great as the concerned president is influenced by events that shaped his personality when he was growing up. As a child, he had to play [...]
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 [...]
To achieve a high level of trade surplus for the United States he recommends ever-changing US legal and regulatory requirements affecting the International trade in favor of the United States. Hi, natural set conditions, when [...]
The author stresses that a quick imposition of democracy in the Middle East is not the solution, but the gradual development of a secular nationalist and liberal government is the key to the demolition of [...]
Commercial insurgency is said to be new and concerned with the acquisition of wealth; personal wealth especially is the defining factor of this kind of insurgency.
While both the President and Congress share responsibility for the foreign policy, the share of the former {as the creator of the policy} is larger than the latter and the gravity of the responsibility is [...]
For EU, it is important to keep independence in the accounting that it may be regarded as a cornerstone upon which much of the ethics peculiar to the institution is built.
At the beginning of the 21st century, the USA remains one of the most powerful states in the world. American hegemony in foreign politics rested on multiple sources of influence, including close political ties with [...]
Therefore, it is the decision-making process that marks the actual importance of a state and determines the role that it plays in the reconstruction of a country.
In the past, the economic and political relationship between South Africa and the US seemed unfavorable as they did not trade or support each other because the ban imposed on South Africa prohibited.
Within a short period, the events in the Soviet Union, Perestroika, and the intentions to take control influenced the lives of people in different ways, causing the progress of the war and the inability to [...]
The largely concurrent and persisting incursions of Norsemen, Magyars, and North African Arabs on the frontiers of Europe both destabilized the prevailing social order and set in train a reorganization of the existing western European [...]
Amongst the many wars that US has been involved with, the 1991 gulf war is still one of the most unforgettable event that took place in the Middle East and American history.
In the year, a meeting was called, and in the meeting, they threatened the united states with an idea of an oil weapon if they did not change their policy regarding the Israel-Arab conflict.
The current essay deals with the important issue of American imperialism and its implications for American-Latin relations and, in particular, the relations between the United States and Mexico at the turn of the century.
The main objective of the paper is to present a detailed account of all the information related to the history, performance, activities, and all the related questions like how and why the United States Military [...]
This goes to keeping the more than 190,000 combat soldiers operating in Iraq and for reconstruction of damages of the war. We all acknowledge that the war has brought a lot of suffering in many [...]
Because of the geographic location of Australia and the direction of its trade and tactical attention, the East Asia area has long been the center of its foreign policy, and now it is one of [...]
The relationships between the EU and Central and Eastern Europe help the latter to overcome negative outcomes of the market-centered economy and improve their economic systems.
Foreign policy of a country is the essential component for the sound governance of the country as well as keeping good terms with the nations of the world and let the international transaction with full [...]
Then begins the core of the paper, which takes back to the historical background of the war in Kosovo, from the disintegration of Yugoslavia to the situations in Serbia and Kosovo during the civil war [...]
Paul Kennedy pointed out that the American era was likely to be over, and the sooner the US adjusted to that fact, the better, he believed, the United States had no alternative but to pull [...]
The British settlements of Australia in the year 1788 marked the beginning of a steady tributary of Europeans enthusiasm to counterfeit new lives in the great southern continent.
