Students studying international politics are looking at a hugely broad range of different things. They are not just thinking about how government works at a local or national level, but how governments, regional blocs like the EU, international organisations such as Amnesty International, multinational corporations and powerful billionaires work together with other states to make global decisions. They are also thinking about how scientific or technological advances can help or hinder the way people work together. This is a field with enormous potential for students looking to move into a wide variety of jobs and careers from teaching and journalism to law and security forces.
The study of international politics is a massive area for academic research and there are many competing theories. Some are highly theoretical and others are more practical, but all of them attempt to explain what is happening at the global level.
Realism is one of the most well-known theories of international relations. It argues that states act in the international arena based on their unique national characteristics rather than projecting a unified set of interests; that no state knows what other states will do and thus no one can predict how the international environment will evolve; that cooperation is rare and usually occurs only when it benefits both parties; and that non-state actors, such as individuals and private groups, are more fundamental to global politics than the actions of states.
Revisionists, on the other hand, believe that states should move away from their current roles to become more democratic and are more likely to support a loose world federation in which most power remains with national governments. They see the potential of globalization for economic prosperity but are wary that it could lead to a fascist world government, so they prefer a system that allows a greater degree of control over international affairs by national and regional parliaments.