Global politics, otherwise known as world politics or world economic politics, refers to both the field which studies the economic and political patterns of the world together with the different historical processes that shape these patterns. The interrelatedness of these two fields forms the theoretical foundation of global economics and political science. In the core of this field are the multiple processes of socio-political globalization pertaining to issues of global power, economic inter-dependency, and conflicting political interests. With such a rich history and current reality, it is no wonder that there has been a tremendous interest in understanding this global interaction. The numerous attempts at global political science have attempted to capture the essence of this global interaction by means of diverse methodologies.
One of the most influential and important approaches to understanding world politics is the institute of International Studies (IIS), a joint initiative of Oxford University and the University of California, Davis. In the past decade, the number of foreign students studying the political science, sociology, and economics of world politics has grown exponentially. In parallel with this growth has been the growth and emergence of a number of professional organization dedicated to the study of world politics. Among these organizations are the Association of World Politics, the Centre for European Studies, the European Academy for Social Sciences, and the Comparative Political Science Research Council.
International Relations is an emerging subject in the list of disciplines which are popular among students studying world politics. As a result of globalization and technological development, new challenges have presented themselves in the realm of international relations. These challenges range from economic to political, security, and environmental issues. While the growth of multi-lateral institutions has promoted the development of a more global perspective, political competition, mutual trust, and cooperation have been key in maintaining the integrity of the international relationship. These factors have been crucial in the evolution of world politics since they help determine the direction of global politics.
The popularity of world politics is not without reason. With globalization there are bound to be repercussions which will have profound impact on the world economy. International trade is no exception and globalization has brought forth significant changes in the economics of countries across continents. While this has helped increase overall prosperity, it has also resulted in a separation of spheres of influence, creating numerous political challenges for the international relations community.
A strong grasp of world politics is necessary for those pursuing a career in international relations. The curriculum should therefore include detailed discussions on world politics as well as developments within the field of comparative politics. Furthermore, students must possess strong academic abilities to understand and interpret political science and other academic texts that deal with world politics. Thus, a strong background in world politics prepares students to engage with complicated political issues with an eye to develop sound judgment and promote solution-based solutions.
Another requirement that every international relations student must meet is knowledge of foreign policy. Those pursuing graduate studies in international relations must master the various aspects of foreign policy such as negotiation, diplomacy, multilateralism, and soft power. Those preparing for a career in international relations will also need to be knowledgeable about world economics and how it influences international politics. Understanding the relationship between the economic policies of countries and their respective political strength is essential for anyone planning to enter the foreign policy field.