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14.1: Introduction

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    198786

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    A small man-made island in the South China Sea is seen from above. The island is a narrow ring, with a small inlet allowing water into the interior of the island.
    Figure 14.1 In an attempt to expand its presence in the South China Sea, China is beginning to construct artificial islands, which are being used as a base for Chinese military operations. Their proximity to US allies such as the Philippines creates some concern about the role China wishes to play in asserting its control over what goes on in Southeast Asia. (credit: “One of the militarized islands by China off the coast of Philippines” by Tony Peters/Flickr, CC BY 2.0)

    Chapter Outline

    14.1 What Is Power, and How Do We Measure It?
    14.2 Understanding the Different Types of Actors in the International System
    14.3 Sovereignty and Anarchy
    14.4 Using Levels of Analysis to Understand Conflict
    14.5 The Realist Worldview
    14.6 The Liberal and Social Worldview
    14.7 Critical Worldviews

    The study of international relations is a subfield of political science that focuses on the ways that different states interact with one another. The main goal of all relationships among states is to work toward making the international system one of peace—friendly, nonviolent relations among states—and balance—an equal distribution of the chance for any country to take the lead in setting the course for the international system. As with all things related to politics, who has the means to exert their power to guide the action of members of the political community determines who gets to set the terms of “peace” and be in charge of what “balance” looks like. Power can best be defined as the ability to establish and enforce the rules to which all other actors in a system must adhere. This chapter looks at the different players in the international system and how they interact. It examines the principles that guide the establishment of the political, social, and economic environment in which these interactions take place.

    14.1: Introduction is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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