Comprehending the commonality of International Relations
By George I. H. Cooke
Charles Dickens’ lament in The Tale of Two Cities rings true even in the 21st century. His observation was that “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”
While he penned these famous words more than 160 years ago, the world we live in today is as invigorating as his was, and demands deeper and wider progress into every sector, field and industry. Times may change but the vibrancy, expectancy and challenges continue to abound. Thus, of paramount importance is the ability to straddle all that is encountered. To make progress in thought, word and deed. This progress is primarily in the form of awareness. Awareness of that which is unfolding, its impact and the consequences of such developments.
Secondly, it is imperative that action be taken to integrate and engage. Integration and engagement provide a seat at the table. Thirdly, alertness is principal going forward, if relevance and continuity are to be ensured.
Failure to adapt to that which is changing, or not comprehending that which is unfolding, or ignorance of it, also the inability to act swiftly and integrate and engage, as well as the lack of remaining constantly alert, results in lesser opportunities, a weaker image and poorer integration into a fast-changing world.
While International Relations remains a subject of academic pursuit, it is also a sphere of activity that unfolds daily. Be it in The Sudan with the escalating violence, in Russia as the conflict with Ukraine continues, the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) in American airspace, or even the use of drones, all indicates that much is taking place on a continuous basis, and also that the academic discipline is growing in leaps and bounds. States, their leaders, representatives and people are engaging in varied forms. This engagement keeps growing, and reasonable understanding of that which occurs remains pivotal if relevance is to be ensured.
Thus, the question arises as to whether International Relations is for all. Whilst it is specifically relevant to the diplomat, is it so for the doctor, engineer, cleric, and journalist? Does it have resonance with the lawyer, the artiste, the businessman, the dancer, and the administrator? Is it possible for one discipline to reach a plethora of spheres?
There is no doubt that the diplomat of today needs to evolve. The time of placing massive emphasis on the diplomat is gone. Today leaders talk, text, tweet and meet with each other directly. Hence if the diplomat is to survive in such a system, it is time for the diplomat to evolve from a generalist to a specialist, and proffer timely and effective advice to take diplomacy to a much higher level. When diplomats are poorly equipped, improperly guided, and individually unconcerned, it is their countries that fail. This failure leads to crises, and even to conflicts.
How does deeper comprehension of world affairs resonant with other sectors? How do we find the commonalities? It is not only possible it is also timely. The growth of the discipline over the last century has seen it taking all fields into the international realm. Today, at the macro level, when examining sectors of a state it is not possible to find a single area that does not possess an international dimension. Similarly, at the micro level when looking at the life of individuals there is such deep-seated integration with the global community. This ranges from the food that is eaten, to the devices that are used, the vehicles that are travelled in, and even the fuel that goes into those vehicles.
Awareness is thus the most important aspect. While progress and development in one’s own field is important, it is through this diverse and growing discipline that it becomes possible to join the dots around the world. It also becomes possible to widen one’s scope and potential, as the awareness provides a bird’s eye view that would not otherwise be known.
In an era in which the world is considered a global village, and people in countries are fast becoming global citizens, International Relations is an eye-opener to that which is, and that which is possible. With students hailing from a diversity of fields, the discipline is being constantly strengthened. The international perspective, when understood, enriches the specific field and gives the adherent an advantage ahead of the rest.
Dickens may have experienced a chequered world, yet the 21st century is far more complex. From geopolitics and geoeconomics, to security in all its forms, from international law to international conflict resolution, from diplomacy and foreign policy, to war and refugees, International Relations straddles the world, its action, and its impact. This impact is not relegated to merely the theatre of activity, or place of occurrence. It is instead felt around the world. Just as a virus can spread from Wuhan to Washington, and money move from Beijing to Boston, advancements in travel enable direct connectivity from Singapore to New York, and Darwin to London.
The world, and its technology and opportunity are evolving. Failure of the individual, country or region, to follow suit, would merely result in being left behind. ‘The winter of despair’ can lead to ‘the spring of hope’ only if there has been effective strategizing. The time for progress, awareness, action and alertness, is now.
