The Role of International Relations in Internal Affairs: Evidence from Ministry of Internal Affairs Personnel in Romania

Abstract

This study investigates how personnel within the Ministry of Internal Affairs perceive the role of international relations and cooperation across the full spectrum of internal affairs activities, including anti-corruption, combating trafficking in human beings, arms trafficking, money laundering, illegal migration, emergency management and so on. Against the backdrop of increasingly complex and transnational challenges, internal affairs can no longer be understood solely within a domestic framework, as international cooperation has become an integral component of institutional practice and policy implementation. The research employs a quantitative, questionnaire-based methodology, targeting employees within the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Romania. The instrument is designed to assess perceptions regarding the relevance, scope, and practical implications of international cooperation, as well as its perceived impact on professional responsibilities across different functional areas. By focusing on practitioners’ perspectives, the study addresses an important empirical gap in the literature, which often overlooks how international engagement is experienced at the operational level of domestic institutions. This paper is intended as the starting point of a broader research agenda aimed at systematically measuring perceptions of the role of international relations in the field of internal affairs. While the present study focuses on Ministry personnel as an initial target group, future research may extend to employees with direct responsibilities in international cooperation, as well as to the general public, enabling comparative and multi-level analyses. This paper contributes to the broader field of international relations by highlighting the intersection between internal affairs and international cooperation, while also aiming to support a reframing of the discipline in light of recent global developments, which have significantly reshaped the international landscape.