The introduction explains the purpose and scope of International Relations (IR) as the study of political, economic, social, and security relationships among states and other global actors. The field examines how countries interact, how global systems are organized, and how conflicts and cooperation develop in an interconnected world.

Key ideas introduced include:

• Understanding global politics: International relations explores events and processes that shape the world beyond national borders, including diplomacy, war, trade, international organizations, and global challenges.
• Theories of international relations: The book introduces major theoretical approaches that help explain world politics, such as realism, liberalism, constructivism, and critical perspectives.
• Actors in world politics: While states remain central, the field also considers international organizations, multinational corporations, non-governmental organizations, social movements, and individuals.
• Traditional and emerging issues: The study of IR includes traditional concerns such as security and conflict, as well as newer issues such as globalization, human rights, environmental change, and global inequality.
• Critical analysis: The introduction encourages students to examine not only what happens in world politics but also why events occur and how different perspectives interpret them.