Positivism is a philosophical approach that emphasizes the use of empirical evidence and scientific methods to understand and explain social and political phenomena. In the field of international relations, positivism is a perspective that emphasizes the role of objective, observable facts and objective analysis in understanding and explaining international politics. Positivist approaches to international relations often rely on quantitative data and statistical analysis, and aim to develop theories that can be tested and supported by empirical evidence. Positivist approaches to international relations have been influential in the development of international relations theory, and have contributed to the development of a number of important theoretical frameworks, such as realism and liberalism.

However, positivism in international relations has also been the subject of much criticism, with some scholars arguing that it is too narrow in its focus on observable facts and that it does not adequately take into account the complexity and contingency of international politics. Post-positivist approaches to international relations have emerged in response to criticism of positivism). Post-positivist theories of international relations attempt to integrate a larger variety of security concerns and argue that if IR is the study of foreign affairs and relations, it ought to include non-state actors as well as the state). Post-positivist approaches to IR do not claim to provide universal answers but seek to ask questions instead). They attempt in-depth analysis of cases in order to "understand" international political phenomena by asking relevant questions to determine in what ways the status-quo promote certain power relations.

In summary, the implications of positivism for the study of international relations are that it emphasizes the use of empirical evidence and scientific methods to understand and explain social and political phenomena. Positivist approaches to international relations have been influential in the development of international relations theory, but have also been criticized for being too narrow in their focus on observable facts. Post-positivist approaches to international relations have emerged in response to this criticism and attempt to integrate a larger variety of security concerns and ask questions to understand international political phenomena.