International relations explores global issues, from how power shifts between states to the impact of non-state actors on world politics. It is a multidisciplinary field that incorporates the study of law, history and economics. International studies programs can also include practical, real-world learning experiences, such as co-ops or internships, that allow students to gain hands-on experience and build connections in the workforce before graduation.
A network of American alliances with Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand that arose after the Second World War. It was dubbed the hub-and-spokes system, with America at the center and the other countries as its “spokes.” The American alliances in East Asia were a precursor to the European Union’s Common Market.
The belief that any group of people has the right to form its own political system and determine how it wants to be governed. This is the basis of a state’s claim to sovereignty.
When one nation’s actions, such as increasing military spending, are seen as a threat by other nations. This can lead them to increase their own security budgets, creating a spiral of insecurity.
A system of rules governing the treatment of soldiers and civilians during wartime. It consists of the Geneva conventions and their additional protocols. A state that does not adhere to the principles of the Geneva conventions is a non-compliant state.