International relations are basically related to the social, political as well as economic relations among the sovereign states of this globe. The cultural and social aspects of international relations have been in constant change since the beginning. During the era before the two World Wars, power was to be obtained by occupation and acquisition of land via war and force.

However, the present concept of power is not related to waging war and occupation of state. Now power means social, political economic as well as technological power. Therefore, sovereign states achieve their national goals by struggling for power, which means economic power as well as all other powers as a complete package. One who has completely developed in all these sectors, it is recognized as a powerful country. (Morganthau, Hans J. 1978)

On the other hand the end of the two World Wars marked the entrance of the cold war period between the two super powers, so the world was transformed into a bipolar system from multi polar. Principally the world was divided into two ideological blocks (Beitz, 1979) and with the demise of Soviet Union, the world entered into globalization. Where globalization means free market economy, international trade, revolution of information technology, modernization and advancement.

So in this way with the changing trends of international politics, states keep revising their foreign as well as domestic policies thus, the dynamics of international relations and the social as well as cultural aspects of international is constantly changing.

Therefore, presently the social and cultural aspects of international relations are related to economic security, nuclear security and above all protection of human rights. Where Human rights includes, women’s right, labour rights, child rights as well as all aspects concerning to humanity and their moral, social, economical as well as legal rights. Since the social and cultural aspects of international order are not same as were prior to globalization, the very definition of culture has also changed.

Now culture is defined in two aspects, which are domestic culture of states as well as the international culture of the global village. When we talk about the domestic concept of culture it means the traditional as well as the religious culture of any particular state. While international culture is related to the mutual concerns in regard to the social, economic, technological as well as political issues of the countries of the world.

Globalization has built a culture of social, economic as well as technological collaboration among the various groups of state. Therefore, now the international culture is related to human rights, international peace and security and bridging the gap between the developed and developing part of the world via economic integration, trade liberalization, free-market economy, privatization and regionalism.

Social aspects of the culture of Security and various conflicts

Therefore, the social and cultural theories of international relations are not as same as were in the past. In the past there was not much realization of conflict management and conflict resolution, building confidence among each other to gain mutual goals that related to economic, social, technological as well as nuclear security. Furthermore, in the present era, with the end of cold war, countries started working under the umbrella of UNO for maintaining world peace and order, protecting human rights, child rights, women rights and abolishing slavery.

At the same time, the intensity of conflicts has dangerously risen due to the technological advancement. Now almost every country of the world is equipped with massive nuclear as well as biological weapons. Among the various social and economic issues, the culture of terrorism has also fabricated by sophisticated clothing. For instance, few extremist and fundamentalist of the Muslim community are exploiting their religion and practicing terrorism in the name of Jihad, which is showing a negative picture of Islam.

Moreover, ethnic conflicts are boosting day by day with in various developed as well as developing countries. All these are posing threats to the culture of international security.

Consequently, the theory of the struggle for power presented by Morganthau is now recognized by every country and practiced under the shadow of globalization. Now the international society has developed a culture based on economic power.

Despite of the increasing intensity of various ethnic, religious, political as well as social conflicts at both international and domestic levels, all countries are focusing to strengthen their economic power. In regard to achieve the said goal, states are now practicing confidence building measures that are based on economic integration, increasing social and cultural contacts and exchange of military information. So on this way we see the constant change in the cultural trends of international relations.

Where all these cultural changes in international relations are at the same time related to both the social as well as international order of states.

Social and cultural aspects of globalization, gender relations and various rights

Therefore, as compared to the cultural aspects of international relations prior to globalization, even after the two major World Wars, social and cultural rights have gained popularity and recognition among the nation states. Now the world is focusing more and more to protect these basic rights. Nonetheless the success and failure to achieve this task is a different debate.

Though globalization has changed the previous social and cultural aspect of security, it also recognized women rights, child rights, labour rights as well as rights of minorities. Various private as well as governmental organizations are working for not only conflict resolution and management but also providing social security to these various groups.

At the same time gender relations have achieved a liberal approach and freedom to a great extent. Women are working now side-by-side to men in work places. UNO has passed many conventions in regard to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women.

However, in the past decade, the social and cultural order of international relations was not fabricated with the recognition of human rights, as now it is the main area of concern of the international community. (United Nations, 1999) At the same time, the international community is also working to protect the rights of children, ethnic minorities as well as labor rights.

Moreover, the social and cultural aspects related to various health issues are other important areas of concern that marks a difference between the past and present international order. For instance, the health of adolescents unmarried mothers, infants with out two parents and abortion as well as sexually transmitted diseases. At the same time, the use of drugs and alcohol is developing so many health problems, specifically among teenagers. (WHO 1996) Such problems are not only affecting the internal social culture of any state but influence their foreign policies as well.

Though such issues are common in the societies of the developed countries but people related to low-income areas are usually related to such social problems.

The social and cultural images of international relations are in constant change since the beginning of international state system. Though the contemporary social and cultural aspects differ from those in the past decade, but still are in strong relation as the roots are same. In the era prior cold war and globalization, the culture of struggle for power was not economic gain, yet the present social and cultural trends present a different image. Therefore, one cannot ignore the slight shift of ideological warfare to economic war.

Presently states are practicing regional economic integration to strengthen their economic power by introducing a culture of regionalism. At the same time human rights, health issues and social work were not recognized but presently tremendous work has done for the protection and safe guard of these social aspects of international relations.

Moreover, the paradigm of international as well as social security has changed. Though conflicts are still there, but the culture of conflict resolution, conflict management, confidence-building measures are introduced and made a part of the social culture of international relations.

Where arms race are strengthening its roots, many treaties and conventions are passed and are in process for disarmaments and to protect the world from any future nuclear war. So it comes to our understanding that the social and cultural aspects of international relations are not only changing from time to time but also introducing new concepts and facing new challenges to maintain a social and cultural order of international relations.

Works Cited

Morganthau, Hans J “Politics Among Nations: The Struggle for Power and Peace. Borzoi/Alfred A. Knopf. New York. 1978.

Beitz, Charles. Political Theory and International Relations. P. 30-33. (1979).

United Nations, “World Survey on the Role of Women in Development: Globalization, Gender and Work”, (United Nations Publication, Sales No. E.99.IV.8) 1999

WHO “Alcohol--Less is Better: European Alcohol Action Plan.” “WHO Regional Publications.” (European Series, No.70) Geneva. (1996)