Challenges in International Relations: Topics to Write About

international relations essay topics

International relations is more than just cramming treaties, and learning fancy terms. It’s all about actually understanding the complicated issues that connect different people and their respective countries. Or, you could think of it like solving puzzles with global consequences.

What is an International Relations Essay?

In an international relations essay, it’s not just about finding answers. It’s all about finding the best answers. Like the creme de la creme of the answers out there. And that right there is what an international relations essay should convey to the readers.

Cause and Effect

So if it was a detective story, technically you would start by figuring out the reasons behind what happened (which is the cause). Next, you examine how those reasons led to certain results (which is the “effect”). And lastly, you piece it all together and explain why things happened the way they did.

Building Your Essay

Think of it this way, a well-organized house with several different rooms for instance:

  • The introduction: This helps grab your reader’s attention and keep it focused on the main issue. Now, in your approach, introduce the problem you’ll explore, and then drop a hint. A sneaky peak of sorts. 
  • In the Main Body: This is the main room, more like the living room, of course, this is where all the important stuff is. Here you can use headings to break it down into sections. And that includes the key definitions and facts. Even better, you can share your analysis and discuss different perspectives. But remember, always backup your ideas with good sources!
  • Conclusion: Summarize the main points, and share your insights, and you could even suggest ways to prevent similar situations in the future.

How Do You Choose the Right Topic?

Choosing the right topic is never easy. The upside? You have all these resources available, for example, lists of essay topics. 

Picking the right topic can be tricky, but don’t worry! There are many resources, like lists of essay topics. 

This helps you find a topic that not only sparks your curiosity but also lets you make one that sparks your curiosity and lets you have an important effect on something.

Note: Always keep your topics clear, engaging, and simple. This is your chance to analyze, explore, and contribute to this fascinating field. 

Below, are a few tips you can consider when choosing a topic for your  international relations essay :

  • Start by brainstorming. Your main focus should be on what interests you, but is about international relations. Choose a topic you are familiar with. A topic about what you understand best and then write down your ideas.
  • It is advisable to convey and combine ideas you have already learned from your teachers. This makes it easier to write and express yourself. 
  • Consider a topic connected to controversial topics from the past but can connect to the present.
  • Another secret is choosing a topic that requires research you can easily find online or in your local library.
  • Dig through valuable works of famous scientists in the field of international research. You can also read books and articles on the topics that you have identified.
  • That’s not the end though, keep up the research. Find “fresh” information that you can use for your research paper on international relations.
  • Here’s another way you can choose an international relations essay topic. You can use research from well-known organizations. And you can use this as a reliable source of information. For example, Freedom House conducts interesting research on the state of political and civil liberties. You can use these reports to build the evidence base of your essay.
  • Look for authors with different views on the same issue. You can write a “For and Against” essay, which contrasts their arguments.
  • Don’t limit yourself to choosing a topic that is too specific. It may not have sufficient information online, or no access to sources. For example, you could be interested in the political system of a small African country. Not to mention, you could spend a lot of time searching unavailable sources about this country. 
  • Also, don’t choose topics that are too general. Your job is to write an essay, not a dissertation. That’s why you should choose a topic that you can fully analyze, understand, and write in the essay. For example, in an essay, you can’t explore the whole history, causes, and consequences of the Cold War. But, a separate aspect of this topic. Like “The Impact of the Cold War on relations between the United States and the USSR”) is fully consistent with the size of such a genre as essays.

20 List International Relations Topics to Help you

  1. The ethical and legal implications of humanitarian intervention in international affairs.
  2. The impact of climate change on international relations
  3. The role of international organizations in conflict resolution
  4. Technological developments and their impact on international relations
  5. Economic power and its influence on international relations
  6. The role of the media in international relations
  7. The role of religion in international relations
  8. The role of culture in international relations
  9. Gender roles in international relations
  10. The role of the environment in international relations
  11. The role of health in international relations
  12. The impact of globalization on international relations.
  13. The role of international organizations such as the United Nations in global politics.
  14. The challenges and opportunities of global governance in the 21st century.
  15. The impact of nuclear weapons on international security.
  16. The evolution of US foreign policy towards China under the Biden administration.
  17. The implications of climate change for international security and cooperation.
  18. The role of non-state actors such as NGOs and multinational corporations in international relations.
  19. The challenges of managing conflict and promoting peace in the Middle East.
  20. The impact of social media and digital technology on international relations.

11 International Relations  Essay Topics

  1. The cooperation between states: A case study of the realism theory
  2. Why the view of states as key actors in the international system is a limitation of the liberalism theory
  3. Do states remain cooperative irrespective of relative gains in neoliberalism theory?
  4. Why it may not be easy to achieve cooperation in the anarchic system of states
  5. The relative role of material forces in the social constructivism theory
  6. Evaluate the Marxist and Neo-Marxist theories of international relations
  7. Discuss the role of the post-positivist/reflectivist theories
  8. How the normative theories explain the specific trends existing in world politics
  9. Analyze the impact of material forces in the epistemology theory
  10. How positivist theories replicate the methods of natural sciences in the international arena
  11. What are the limitations of the realism theory in determining power-seeking rational actors

12 Impressive International Relations Essay Topics 

  1. What factors necessitate the interactions between developing and developed countries?
  2. The role of nuclear proliferation among various G7 members
  3. Discuss the essence of human rights in the international arena
  4. A systematic analysis of the unit-level concepts applied in international relations
  5. Factors affecting the achievement of sustainable development goals globally
  6. The role of place sovereignty in the global space
  7. Discuss the impact of coronavirus restrictions on international relationships
  8. What is the role of the United Nations in spearheading global unity?
  9. Explore the effect of the different diplomatic relations among nations
  10. The contribution of international bodies in fostering global security
  11. Discuss the threat of terrorism: A case study of the 9/11 terrorist attack in the US
  12. CondU.S.t an analysis of the global finance chain among different nations

10 Trendy International Relations Topics

  1. Principles that govern the formulation of international initiatives
  2. Discuss the impact of conspiracies: A Case Study of China and the USA
  3. Should the United States withdraw its forces from Afghanistan?
  4. How the use of the bioweapons Treaty can help address pandemics
  5. Review the prominent international relations theorists
  6. Discuss the consequences of techno-cultural pluralism among nations
  7. Analyze the Iran nuclear deal and its implications for the global peace and security
  8. Should the world embark on a disarming mission of nuclear weapons?
  9. Discuss the role of the Game Theory in determining the vaccine rollout program
  10. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the Abraham Accords between Israel and Muslim nations?

Bottom Line

In the end, understanding international relations essays isn’t as complex as it seems. And that’s essential for international relations students. 

These tips should help you find the best international relations topics to write about with ease. 

Always remember, choose a topic that interests you, preferably one you are passionate about. This will ensure that your international relations essay topic is well-defined. It also means you have access to credible sources to support your argument. If you are in need of any academic writing assistance, be sure to check out Peachyesssay.com.