Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • Videos
  • Career & Education
  • Classifieds
  • All Woman
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Design Week
International relations: A misunderstood discipline
Letters
June 16, 2021

International relations: A misunderstood discipline

Dear Editor,

For far too long people have had a misconception of what characterises international relations as a field, a career path, and a study. The definition of international relations is: “The study of the relations of states with each other and with international organisations and certain subnational entities.” (Pfaltzgraff & McClelland, 2020)

Since the inception of man-made organisational and political systems we have been trying to coexist with each other, though conflict seems to be inevitable between varying groups of people, and by extension nation states. We see the promulgation of conflict over the years between states and are sometimes oblivious to the fact that international conflict has real impacts on the general populace of the world. Well, shockingly it does, as is evident with the Israel-Palestine conflict.

International relations is a multidisciplinary area that was created to give light to a subject that, when overlooked, has catastrophic effects. Theorists from Hobbes and Machiavelli brought to the forefront the mere understanding and importance of international relations. It must be acknowledged that the discipline is not limited to law and politics, but it forays into business, economics, health, and as many areas as you can possibly conceptualise.

Over the years, many people who would have not got into studying for a law degree at university or cannot afford to pay for some other area of study would have switched to pursue studies in international relations. That practice has seen many students who are wholly uninterested in the subject area force themselves to understand the tenets therein. Hence, they receive the qualification without any real passion. That practice has created many educated individuals who cannot adequately add to the discourse about the field they studied at the university level — which defeats the purpose of academia.

Notably, international relations is not the field for those who did not get into the fields they really want to pursue. As with medicine, law, and business, if there is no real passion for the understanding of international law, policy, and economics; international relations is not degree for you. On the other hand, people who are really interested in the foreign service, international organisations, and international business, it is the perfect field for them to study. If not, they would be wholly disappointed with their choice and feel unfulfilled after their decision.

As a matter of fact, more needs to be done to sensitise the general public on matters of international importance, because we live in a global world, and that understanding may better inform the ideas that exist in society about international relations as a discipline and an important aspect in our lives as citizens of the world.

Sandré Rhoden

sandrejjrhoden@gmail.com

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

El Nino set to be ‘strong’, UN warns
Latest News, News
El Nino set to be ‘strong’, UN warns
July 3, 2026
GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) —  El Nino is here and will quickly develop into a strong event between July and September, fuelling the likelihood of extre...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Daley calls for greater support for seniors as Gov’t services go digital
Latest News, News
Daley calls for greater support for seniors as Gov’t services go digital
July 3, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — As banking and Government services become increasingly digital, greater measures must be put in place to ensure Jamaica's senior c...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
European MEPs urge FIFA to probe Infantino over Trump ‘peace prize’
Latest News, Sports
European MEPs urge FIFA to probe Infantino over Trump ‘peace prize’
July 3, 2026
LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AFP) — Fifty members of the European Parliament have urged FIFA's ethics committee to investigate their president Gianni Infant...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Bolt donates $1.7 million to Waldensia Primary graduates
Latest News, News
Bolt donates $1.7 million to Waldensia Primary graduates
July 3, 2026
TRELAWNY, Jamaica — Sprint legend Usain Bolt brought cheers to graduates of his alma mater Waldensia Primary and Infant School with a $1.7 million don...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Man sets himself ablaze outside UN headquarters in New York
International News, Latest News
Man sets himself ablaze outside UN headquarters in New York
July 2, 2026
UNITED NATIONS, United States (AFP)—A man set himself on fire outside the New York headquarters of the United Nations on Thursday and died of his inju...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Water investments key to Jamaica’s resilience–Samuda
Latest News, News
Water investments key to Jamaica’s resilience–Samuda
July 2, 2026
ST JAMES, Jamaica—Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change Matthew Samuda, says ongoing investments in wastewater and water-supply infrastruc...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Venezuela quake death toll rises to 2,595
International News, Latest News
Venezuela quake death toll rises to 2,595
July 2, 2026
CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP)—The death toll from Venezuela's twin earthquakes has risen to 2,595, Interim President Delcy Rodriguez said Thursday. Rodrigu...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Portugal defeat Croatia 2-1 to reach World Cup last 16
International News, Latest News
Portugal defeat Croatia 2-1 to reach World Cup last 16
July 2, 2026
TORONTO, Canada (AFP)—Substitute Goncalo Ramos's headed goal edged Portugal into the last 16 of the World Cup on Thursday after Croatia were dramatica...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct