Introduction
This essay provides a detailed summary and critical analysis of two significant academic sources within the field of International Relations (IR). The first, by Baele et al. (2024), explores the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and IR, charting how technological advancements are reshaping global politics. The second, by Eilstrup-Sangiovanni (2021), examines the factors leading to the termination of international organisations, offering insights into their vulnerabilities and decline. Both articles contribute to contemporary debates in IR by addressing emerging challenges—technological disruptions and institutional fragility, respectively—that shape the global order. As an undergraduate student of IR, this essay aims to unpack the core arguments of these works, highlight an interesting aspect from each, and reflect on their relevance to broader theoretical and practical issues in the field. The essay is structured into two main sections, each dedicated to summarising and evaluating one source, followed by a conclusion that synthesises key insights and considers their implications for the study of IR.
Artificial Intelligence and International Relations: Insights from Baele et al. (2024)
In their article, “AI IR: Charting International Relations in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” Baele et al. (2024) provide a comprehensive examination of how AI is transforming the landscape of international politics. Published in *International Studies Review*, the authors argue that AI is not merely a technological tool but a transformative force that reshapes state interactions, security dynamics, and global governance. They outline several key areas of impact, including AI’s role in military applications (such as autonomous weapons systems), its influence on diplomatic decision-making through data analysis, and its potential to exacerbate global inequalities due to uneven access to technology. The authors adopt an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on IR theories such as realism and constructivism to frame AI as both a material capability and a socially constructed phenomenon that alters perceptions of power.
One particularly interesting aspect of Baele et al.’s (2024) work is their discussion of AI’s impact on trust in international cooperation. They highlight how AI-driven misinformation campaigns and deepfake technology can undermine diplomatic relations by creating uncertainty about the authenticity of information. For instance, the potential for AI-generated content to simulate credible political statements or falsify evidence poses a novel threat to international negotiations. This point is especially relevant in an era where cyber warfare and information manipulation are increasingly central to geopolitical rivalries. It raises critical questions about how states can maintain trust—an essential component of international order—when the tools to deceive are becoming ever more sophisticated.
From a critical perspective, Baele et al. (2024) demonstrate a sound understanding of IR’s evolving challenges, particularly at the forefront of technology’s integration into global politics. However, their analysis could be strengthened by offering more concrete policy recommendations for mitigating AI-related risks. While they identify the problem of misinformation, there is limited exploration of how international regimes or norms could adapt to regulate AI’s use in diplomacy. Nevertheless, their work provides a valuable foundation for understanding AI as a multifaceted issue in IR, touching on security, ethics, and power dynamics. As a student, I find their interdisciplinary lens particularly useful for connecting technological trends to traditional IR debates, though I remain curious about the practical limits of their largely theoretical framework.
The Termination of International Organisations: Insights from Eilstrup-Sangiovanni (2021)
In contrast to the forward-looking focus on AI, Eilstrup-Sangiovanni’s (2021) article, “What kills international organisations? When and why international organisations terminate,” published in the *European Journal of International Relations*, takes a historical and analytical approach to the decline of international institutions. The author investigates why some international organisations (IOs) cease to exist, identifying key factors such as loss of member state support, inefficacy in achieving objectives, and external shocks like geopolitical shifts. Eilstrup-Sangiovanni employs a mixed-methods approach, combining case studies of defunct IOs—such as the League of Nations—with quantitative data on organisational longevity, to argue that termination is often the result of both endogenous failures (internal dysfunction) and exogenous pressures (changes in the international environment).
An intriguing element of this article is the emphasis on the concept of “organisational obsolescence.” Eilstrup-Sangiovanni (2021) argues that many IOs are designed with specific purposes or historical contexts in mind, and when these contexts change, the organisation may struggle to adapt. For example, she discusses how the end of the Cold War rendered certain security-focused organisations irrelevant as their original raison d’être disappeared. This idea of obsolescence is fascinating because it challenges the assumption that IOs are inherently resilient or adaptive entities. Instead, it suggests a lifecycle model for institutions, where decline and termination are natural outcomes rather than anomalies. This perspective is particularly thought-provoking for IR students, as it prompts reflection on the durability of current organisations like the United Nations in the face of emerging challenges such as climate change or technological disruption.
Critically, Eilstrup-Sangiovanni (2021) offers a robust and evidence-based analysis that enriches our understanding of institutional dynamics in IR. Her use of diverse case studies ensures the argument is well-supported, though the focus on historical examples might limit the applicability of her findings to contemporary IOs facing unique 21st-century pressures. Furthermore, while she identifies the causes of termination, there is less attention on how IOs might proactively reform to avoid such outcomes—a potential area for further research. As a student, I appreciate how her work connects to broader IR theories, such as institutionalism, which stress the role of organisations in fostering cooperation. However, I wonder if her framework fully accounts for the resilience shown by some IOs despite apparent obsolescence, suggesting a need for a more nuanced evaluation of adaptation mechanisms.
Conclusion
In summary, both Baele et al. (2024) and Eilstrup-Sangiovanni (2021) offer valuable contributions to the study of International Relations by addressing distinct yet interconnected challenges. Baele et al. (2024) highlight the transformative potential of AI, raising critical concerns about trust and misinformation in international cooperation, while demonstrating the need to integrate technological considerations into traditional IR frameworks. Meanwhile, Eilstrup-Sangiovanni (2021) provides a historical lens on the fragility of international organisations, with her concept of obsolescence offering a novel way to understand institutional decline. Together, these sources underscore the dynamic nature of the global order, where emerging technologies and institutional vulnerabilities continuously shape state interactions.
Reflecting on these works, it is evident that IR as a field must adapt to both technological and structural changes to remain relevant. The implications of AI, as discussed by Baele et al. (2024), suggest a future where diplomacy and security are increasingly influenced by non-human actors, necessitating new norms and governance mechanisms. Similarly, Eilstrup-Sangiovanni’s (2021) insights into IO termination remind us that even established institutions are not immune to failure, urging policymakers and scholars to prioritise adaptability. As an IR student, I find these articles a compelling call to critically engage with the evolving challenges of global politics, from the ethical dilemmas posed by AI to the practical need for resilient institutions. Ultimately, they highlight the importance of interdisciplinary and historical perspectives in addressing the complex problems that define our field today.
References
- Baele, S.J. et al. (2024) AI IR: Charting International Relations in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. International Studies Review, 26(2).
- Eilstrup-Sangiovanni, M. (2021) What kills international organisations? When and why international organisations terminate. European Journal of International Relations, 27(1), pp. 281–310.
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