International politics is the study of conflict and adjustment among groups of people who acknowledge no common supreme authority. Its study has long involved the analyzing of international relations and, for this reason, it is in many ways an applied science, with applications in economics, sociology, history, geography, and law, as well as in political science.
The international politics of a nation are primarily determined by its leaders, whether they be the president or prime minister or chancellor of the country, the leader of an alliance or coalition of states, or some other powerful figure (e.g., a dictator or military commander). Often the decision makers are considered to be the most important individuals on earth, but they must be seen in their own contexts: They are part of a larger social order in which they operate and they have the responsibility for a national government that must address the problems of its citizens.
The study of political parties and their leaders is also a significant aspect of international politics, as are non-state actors like major corporations that control global economies, movements that advocate for human rights or climate change, and the media that shape our perceptions of the world. As such, the field of international politics is as broad and varied as the human world itself.
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