/r/IRstudies

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IRStudies seeks to discuss and highlight the academic study of international relations. This subreddit is for IR Studies in all its forms, but not meant for news or politics. Keep it topical and informed.

Memes should go in text-only posts that are for posting multiple memes and not be standalone posts for one image macro.

This is a subreddit for discussing international relations. What does that mean? It means that you can feel free to discuss any of the following and much more:

  • international political economy
  • globalization
  • state sovereignty
  • ecological sustainability
  • nuclear proliferation
  • nationalism
  • economic development
  • global finance
  • terrorism
  • organized crime
  • human security
  • foreign interventionism
  • human rights
  • nonviolence

These discussions should be academic in nature and we encourage them to also be inter-disciplinary. That means you should definitely not just be raving about Walt and Mearsheimer but maybe a little Nietzsche or Wendt too! From psychology to gender studies, all discussions are welcome.

Resources for IR students.

IR Twitter feed

Related and relevant subreddits:

What makes this subreddit distinct from others like /r/worldevents? First of all, this subreddit will be whatever the community decides it to be. However, it was intended not just to be about stories relating to international relations, but to be about the very discipline of international relations itself. This can mean discussing notable authors and texts but also applying them to the status quo as we find it now. While worldevents might be about the latest breaking news, IRstudies will be more about global trends and big meta-issues. If that's not completely clear, just stick around for the discussions we'll be having.

/r/IRstudies

37,828 Subscribers

9

The US and some of its allies often bring up this concept of the "West", as kind of a civilization space and alliance. Does China have such a civilizational space/alliance?

I suppose the Sinosphere would be China's equivalent, but countries in the sinosphere are ironically the countries China has the worst relations with. I personally believe that the US' alliances and its cultural connections with Europe and Latin America will give it an upper hand against China in the coming conflicts. What do you think?

7 Comments
2025/01/31
23:33 UTC

1

How long does the OHCHR library take to respond ?

I sent an email to OHCHR library asking for docs regarding general assembly debate on a particular resolution which was submitted by HRC and they haven't responded in 3 weeks.

0 Comments
2025/01/31
11:07 UTC

0

Best non interventionist think tanks?

What are the more libertarian leaning think tanks that take a non interventionist, restraint approach to foreign policy. I know there’s the Quincy Institute but what are the other options that are somewhat well respected?

4 Comments
2025/01/31
05:21 UTC

14

Is "America First" strength or self-defeating bullying?

https://democracyssisyphus.substack.com/p/america-first-bravado

"However, why start with hostility? Why lead with threats, intimidation, and reckless accusations? If America First considers this strength, it is indistinguishable from bullying. The administration argues that funding Ukraine to resist Russian aggression is a waste of taxpayer dollars, yet it simultaneously believes China will be deterred by America metaphorically taking Canada’s lunch money. This worldview mistakes bravado for strength."

56 Comments
2025/01/31
02:01 UTC

5

Want to understand the impact of the potential US tariffs? We analyzed 62 articles from 51 sources to map the economic ties between Canada and the U.S. Here's what we found.

2 Comments
2025/01/31
01:26 UTC

1

Recommended Readings?

Hello everyone,

I recently graduated with a Bachelors in Poltiical Science (comparative politics) and I wanted to brush up on IR. Also, is there any readings any of you would recommend when it comes to learning about how to get into the job field? I've hit a bit of a rock recently with trying to get a job in my field.

Anyways, hope to hear from you all soon!

0 Comments
2025/01/30
16:12 UTC

5

News Websites to Stay Updated on Foreign Policy, World Affairs

I’m looking for a couple of news agencies that provide recent news about crises and global events. Foreign Policy (the media outlet one) is paid, offering a subscription to read the favourable articles.

I also want to comprehend the terminology by reading news with regards to foreign policy. Any recommendations?

Yes, I know BBC, The Guardian etc. but I’m looking for suggestions from anyone who want to stay informed about the world just like me, especially in a diplomatic way as an International Relations student.

In conclusion, just looking for any website both offering me reading in English and keeping me updated as to things happening around the world.

6 Comments
2025/01/30
10:29 UTC

0

IR Realists are the unpopular nerdy kid warning of danger, Idealists are the demagogues offering free candy.

Its incredible to see how Realism predicts the actions of nations and how Idealism fails to predict anything. However, spoken out-loud, IR Realists sound like a horrible person.

I don't see things changing, ever. Grand claims from demagogues will always impress The Commons. However, at the highest level, there seems to be a filter that prevents Idealism, with only few exceptions from weak leaders.

Seeing the world contradict reddit and ideas taught to me in Youth has made me jaded in the value of the opinions of the multitude.

Now that I know this, I don't even know what to do. Ignore their pleas? Play along for popularity points?

15 Comments
2025/01/28
22:40 UTC

1

Can the concepts of Universality and hard power be linked to form a solid research question?

I’m very passionate about the concept of universality, and as a former student of Anthropology, I would like to write a paper about it. There’s a massive archive of sources on universality, but coming up with a solid research question targeting this complex concept is quite difficult. I was thinking about debunking the whole theory of universality and proving that it has historically caused more harm than benefit due to its connections to imperialism and colonialism. So far, it is quite intuitive and provable, but I feel like I’m missing the opportunity to focus on something unique, and I’m completely stuck. Is there something more specific I can investigate to narrow down my research question concerning universality?

1 Comment
2025/01/28
18:59 UTC

2

Job options Germany

Hey guys! Just this semester I graduated from Athens Panteion university International Relations faculty. I am currently in a limbo state trying to figure out the next steps after my internship at the Greek consulate (April to June). Right now I ve moved to Hamburg Germany in my effort to learn the language better as well as because it's the internships location. I ve come to the decision of delaying my masters and trying to find a job to kickstart my career, however I do not know where to look and in what kind of companies and positions to apply for. I am a Greek national with a high English proficiency and currently learning German and Russian I also think I want to get into writing on a blog on daily political issues on the side as a way to enhance my CV and maybe potentially earn some money in the future. Any tips or your experiences are very much welcome.

1 Comment
2025/01/28
17:44 UTC

37

Life is cruel

hey guys,

yeah, well, I don't know what's the point of this post, but I am here just to cry out, because over the last month I invested so much effort into two jobs that were my dream jobs in the security field. Literally the best jobs you could get in my country in this field that could spur my career as an early stage professional. And guess what? I got through to the final stage in both of them where it was just 2-3 candidates out of dozens or even hundreds candidates initially, and both of them eventually chose to go with the other person. I just can't... you invest so much effort, get high hopes, to eventually get rejected that close TWICE a month. It's just tough to accept that you have to move on and work on things you're not so much interested... well, still, to anyone out there in the same situation, you're not alone out there, keep working hard, hopefully, good days will come...

7 Comments
2025/01/28
14:30 UTC

1

dissertation topic

Hello everyone, i’m on my second year of uni working up to my dissertation. I am doing education and want to be a primary school teacher. I am still so stuck and torn between what area/topics i should choose.

So far i’ve thought about “How technology tailors motivation and engagement in the learning space.” Such as using phones and laptops in classes (for note taking and then go on to say about how it’s easier and more efficient for students to use laptops to note take due to lecture slides going to quick etc. listening to music as i could go on to say how it helps people concentrate and find research articles to back this up. I feel like i really like this topic but i just need more around it as i’ve literally only just thought about it so if you could help me that would be great!

I still haven’t got many topics for this or research questions so if any of you have any ideas or suggestions please let me know that would be so perfect!!

i hope you guys are having a good day x

0 Comments
2025/01/28
11:53 UTC

1

Struggling with My Thesis : Looking for Advice and Ideas

Hello everyone,

I’m a final-year college student in IR, and this year we’re required to write our thesis. I’ve chosen to focus on the establishment of consular relations between states and to study the protocols involved.

In my introduction (contextualization and problem statement), I want to highlight that the idea came from noticing the lack of practical knowledge in diplomatic affairs during our studies. The goal is to create a document that could at least give some insight to younger students about how things are done in this field.

Right now, I’m feeling lost, out of ideas, and probably close to burnout 😭. I’d really appreciate your suggestions, advice on writing and structuring my thesis, or any thoughts you might have! I’m open to all input!

Thanks in advance!

2 Comments
2025/01/27
18:25 UTC

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