Is International Relations a discipline?

Question

If yes, what makes it a discipline? Is it the methodology or is it the scope of study?

Answer 1

AT MY SCHOOL...MIDDLE TN STATE UNI, IT'S A WHOLE MAJOR, GLOBAL STUDIES is A DECIPLINE.

Answer 2

It is definitely a discipline. It is so because you have to know how to act and behave when you're in another country to prevent insult and disgrace. What you do here in the States could be considered insulting when you're in a foreign country.

eg In some places, not finishing your food when you go to someone's house is a big insult.

In some places, not belching after eating is an insult and means the food wasn't good.

Ambassadors and diplomats have to study International relations to be very good diplomats, after all, all they do is relate and do business with international offices.

Supposing you want to create good relations and strike a deal with another country, without the proper actions and relations, that deal will probably fail.

I schooled in Buenos Aires, Argentina and I took International Relations. Basically, that's some of what I was taught.

Answer 3

Yes, and there are actual methods. Don't look at IR books at the commercial bookstore but check out the textbooks at a collage bookstore. Looking at the table of contents will show you the different models, paradigms and methods used. All-in-all though, these methods don't get applied in the real world. Most of the vital IR issues that arise are tainted by polical BS.

Answer 4

It certainly is a discipline. It is even offered in many Universities a course major.