Fundamentals of International Relations

Some basic fundamentals of International Relations.

1. Sovereignty of any country is inviolable, unless they voluntarlily give it away

2. Self interest is the primary basis on which all countries decide

3. Nothing is a constant in International relations

4. Today's interest may not be tomorrow's interest and so, I have the full right to change my position. Corollary to that is that today's friends need not be tomorrow's also

5. International standing of any country depends on its domestic strengths and its relations with other powers.

6. Every country, therefore, tries to manipulate others to secure maximum benefits while at the same time giving away as minimum as possible.

In this scenario, not always will all countries win.

Based on the above, look at each issue and come to conclusions. these are not exhaustive, but generally illustrative. in IR, there are never simple and straight forward answers. Situation and domestic requirements decide our responses.

Having laid down those fundamentals, there is also accepted International law that governs IR

Typically, if domestic laws are in contrvention to international agreements, the domestic laws are to be suitably altered.

provided we had agreed to the international agreements.

Domestically, we have worked out various provisions like negotiations, internal consultations and finally ratification of international agreements

when we follow these processes, then we are bound by it and will hve to adapt our domestic laws accordingly

To recap, multilateralism is voluntary, we have a choice every time, but once agreed, we follow the universal mechanisms for common benefit.