International Relations, Foreign Policy, United Nations and Global Issues
What the domain tests
This domain connects theory and practice: how states interact, how India formulates foreign policy, what the UN does, and how global issues are governed.
Core ideas
- International relations: study of state interaction, power, diplomacy, alliances, and institutions; realist and liberal approaches offer different explanations.
- Foreign policy: instruments include diplomacy, defence, trade, aid and sanctions. India emphasises Panchsheel, strategic autonomy, and multilateral engagement.
- United Nations: founded in 1945; principal organs include the General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, International Court of Justice, and Secretariat.
- Global issues: climate change, terrorism, pandemics, trade, and migration require collective action.
Worked example
India demands reform of the UN Security Council to reflect current realities while participating in peacekeeping and climate negotiations. The reasoning links national interest, multilateral legitimacy, and global public goods.
Traps
Do not call the UN a world government; it depends on member states. Do not reduce foreign policy to defence alone. Do not treat internationalism and national interest as always opposed.