This subject, better known as International Relations (IR) or international affairs is either a branch of political science, a sub-disciplinary field resembling global studies or an entirely independent academic field where students take a host of internationally orientated modules in social studies and humanities. In all cases the field studies the relationship and interaction between political entities such as states, sovereign states, empires, inter-governmental organizations (IGOs), international non-governmental organizations (INs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and multinational corporations (MNCs).

Political activity and international relations dates back to early times such as the time where the first forms of civilization have inhabited this land, but only in the early 20th century did it take form to become a detached academic field within political science. In application the grounds of international relations and international affairs forms an independent academic program which is isolated from political sciences.

The field of international relations lures from a variety of grounds such as : technology and engineering, economics, communication studies, history, international law, demography, philosophy, geography, social work, sociology, anthropology, criminology, psychology, gender studies, cultural studies, and diplomacy.

 The capacity of international relations also grasps globalization, diplomatic relations, state sovereignty, international security, ecological sustainability, nuclear proliferation, nationalism, economic development, global finance, as well as terrorism and organized crime, human security, foreign interventionism, and human rights, as well, as in recent times comparative religion.