Foreign Policy: Concepts and Terminology Introduction Foreign policy refers to the principles, objectives, decisions and actions through which a state manages its relations with other states and international actors. It is one of the principal ways through which a state pursues its national interests beyond its borders. Foreign policy is influenced by domestic politics, national…
Divine Decree and Qadar Belief in divine decree, or Qadar, is one of the six articles of Islamic faith. Islamic teachings affirm Allah’s complete knowledge and power while also recognizing human moral responsibility and choice. Belief in Qadar does not mean that a person may use divine decree as an excuse for wrongdoing. 1 What…
Akhirah and Accountability Akhirah refers to the life of the Hereafter. Islamic teachings emphasize that human beings are accountable for their beliefs, choices, actions, and treatment of others. This belief connects worldly conduct with the ultimate judgment, reward, and punishment in the Hereafter. 1 What does “Akhirah” mean? (a) Prophethood (b) Hereafter (c) Revelation (d)…
Belief in the Day of Judgment Belief in the Day of Judgment is a fundamental article of Islamic faith. Islam teaches that worldly life is temporary and that human beings will be resurrected, gathered, judged according to their deeds, and ultimately rewarded or punished. The Quran repeatedly connects belief in Allah with belief in the…
Prophethood and Risalat Prophethood and Risalat concern Allah’s appointment of prophets and messengers to convey divine guidance. Nubuwwah refers to prophethood, while Risalah refers to messengership. In common Islamic usage, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is both a Nabi and Rasul and is the final prophet. 1 What is the Arabic term commonly used for prophethood? (a)…
Belief in Prophets Belief in the prophets is a fundamental article of Islamic faith. Muslims believe that Allah sent prophets and messengers to guide humanity, convey divine revelation, call people toward Tawhid, and teach them righteous conduct. The final prophet is Muhammad ﷺ. 1 What does the Islamic term “Nabi” generally mean? (a) Prophet (b)…
International Society International society refers to a community of states that recognize certain common rules, norms, institutions and practices governing their relations. The concept goes beyond the idea that states simply interact with one another. It suggests that states can develop shared expectations about appropriate behaviour and create institutions and rules to organize their relationships….
The International System The international system is the overall structure within which states and other international actors interact. It consists of states, institutions, relationships, rules, patterns of power and processes that shape behaviour across the world. Unlike a domestic political system, the international system does not have a single universally recognized central government with supreme…
International Relations and International Politics International Relations and International Politics are closely related concepts and are often used interchangeably. However, they are not exactly identical. International Politics primarily refers to political interactions among states and other political actors at the international level. International Relations has a broader scope and includes political interactions as well as…
The Nation-State The nation-state is one of the most important concepts in International Relations and modern political history. It combines the idea of a political state with the idea of a nation. A state is a political and legal entity possessing territory, population, government and sovereignty. A nation is a community of people who share…
Meaning, Nature and Scope of International Relations International Relations (IR) is the systematic study of interactions, relationships, conflicts and cooperation among states and other actors across international boundaries. It examines how countries pursue their interests, exercise power, manage conflicts, cooperate through institutions, conduct diplomacy and respond to global challenges. International Relations is one of the…
Feminist, Postcolonial and Green Approaches Introduction Feminist, postcolonial and green approaches broaden the study of International Relations by examining issues that traditional theories may underemphasize, including gender, colonial legacies, environmental security, ecological limits and unequal experiences of global politics. These approaches are diverse and should not be treated as single unified theories. Feminist International Relations…
Marxist, Critical and Dependency Approaches Introduction Marxist, critical and dependency approaches examine international politics through questions of economic structure, capitalism, inequality, class, exploitation, historical power and global hierarchy. These approaches challenge theories that treat states and international institutions as politically neutral or independent from broader economic and social structures. Marxism Marxism: A body of social,…
Constructivism Introduction Constructivism is a major approach to International Relations that emphasizes the importance of ideas, identities, norms, beliefs and social interaction in shaping international politics. Constructivists argue that international reality is not determined solely by material capabilities. The meanings that states and societies attach to power, interests, threats and institutions also matter. Core Concepts…
Liberalism and Neoliberal Institutionalism Introduction Liberalism is a major theoretical tradition in International Relations that emphasizes cooperation, institutions, economic interdependence, domestic political structures, international law and the possibility of reducing conflict. Neoliberal institutionalism retains important liberal assumptions while placing particular emphasis on how international institutions can facilitate cooperation even under conditions of international anarchy. Liberalism…
Realism and Neorealism Introduction Realism is one of the major theoretical traditions in International Relations. It emphasizes power, national interest, security, competition and the constraints created by an international system without a central world government. Neorealism, also called Structural Realism, reformulates realism by placing particular emphasis on the structure of the international system and the…
Belief in Divine Books 1 Belief in divine books is: (a) An article of Islamic faith (b) A historical preference (c) A cultural practice only (d) None of these 2 The Arabic term for divine books is: (a) Kutub (b) Mala’ikah (c) Anbiya (d) None of these 3 Muslims believe that Allah revealed guidance to:…
Belief in Angels 1 The Arabic term for angels is: (a) Mala’ikah (b) Anbiya (c) Fuqaha (d) None of these 2 Belief in angels is: (a) One of the articles of Islamic faith (b) A cultural tradition (c) An optional historical belief (d) None of these 3 Angels are created by: (a) Allah (b) Prophets…
Attributes of Allah 1 The Arabic term commonly used for the attributes of Allah is: (a) Sifat Allah (b) Shariah (c) Fiqh (d) None of these 2 Allah’s attributes are understood in Islam as attributes of: (a) Perfection (b) Human limitation (c) Weakness (d) None of these 3 Which name of Allah means “The Most…
Tawhid 1 Tawhid means: (a) The oneness and uniqueness of Allah (b) Prophethood (c) Jurisprudence (d) None of these 2 The central message of Tawhid is: (a) Worship of Allah alone (b) Worship of angels (c) Worship of prophets (d) None of these 3 Tawhid al-Rububiyyah refers primarily to Allah’s: (a) Lordship, creation and sustaining…