1.7: Conclusion

International Relations: Politics, Power, and Global Connections · LibreTexts

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    From LibreTexts, under CC BY-NC 4.0, as the source states it; its equations are written in TeX, which the PDF shows typeset. This page at LibreTexts.

    Concluding Remarks

    The discipline of International Relations has undergone significant transformations since its inception in the early 20th century. From its origins in the aftermath of the Treaty of Westphalia and World War I to its current focus on globalization, technology, and shifting power dynamics, IR has continually adapted to the changing realities of the international system. As the world continues to evolve, the study of IR will remain essential for understanding the complexities of global politics and for developing strategies to address the challenges of the 21st century and beyond.

    Important Caveats: Eurocentrism and Colonialism

    At the same time, it is important to recognize the mainstream discipline of International Relations is Eurocentric and modernist-centric. While it is true that world politics was significantly impacted by the Treaty of Westphalia and the normative, legal, and institutional structures that emerged over the decades, it is also the case that there was a world politics before Westphalia that had its own unique rhythms and dynamics. For a fascinating account of the history of politics in China and East Asia, India, the Muslim Caliphates, the Mongol Khanates, Africa, and the Americas, see Ringmar (2019).

    Moreover, what is provided above does not adequately address the impact of Euro-American colonialism throughout the modern period, which had fundamental impacts on the development of the world system of states. For an overview of how European colonialism impacted the rest of the world, including Africa, Asia, and the Americas, and how European models of nationalism and statehood informed the decolonization process, read the next section, Ringmar's (2016) "Making of the Modern World."

    This page titled 1.7: Conclusion was last modified on Wed, 19 Aug 2026 18:30:33 GMT and is shared under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Robert Stockwell.