What Does IR Mean to Me?

  One can see International Relations as a multitude of meanings, but for us personally we believe that it really comes down to how the international community affects us and how we affect the international community.

The products we buy and sell fuel international economies which are the modern day basis for political interaction between states. It affects the prices of the goods we buy from foriegn nations, which affects our standard of living greatly.

Relations between states also determines how safe we feel on a daily basis. In a world where state tensions can lead to wars or terrorism, it has never been more important that states engage in relations with one another.

 As for the theories we learned in IR,  they seem to just be human characterizations being applied to a broader scheme. The International community is comprised of many states. States are made up of many populations. Populations are just many many individuals. It is really no suprise that IR  functions much like how one would expect people to interact with one another.

 

It’s been fun.

Chris & Nora; two more individuals in the international community!

How International Financial Institutions is Involved in Our Topic

Because our topic is multi-faceted, there are some instances where IFI’s are more involved than others. However the largest component that involes global economics can be found between the United States and China.  Our topic has continously followed how the economic ties between these two nations has greatly influenced thier political objectives and actions. So, in one sense IFI’s play a little role between these two nations as they are among the wealthiest of nations. However in another sense there is no doubt that these two nations have become extremely focused on thier economies and thier pursuit for markets and resources has been growing and growing. With this in mind, IFI;s play a large role between these two nations because the world has seen a shift in global policy, where nations compete with one another through economic means rather than violent.

Rules-Based, Ends-Based Aspect of Our Topic

   The aspect of our topic that we are focusing on is the relationship between the United States, China, and Taiwan.  Since the beginning of the Cold War the United States has defended and supported Democratic Capitalistic societies. However, the US does not recognize the island of Taiwan as a legitamate state despite it being a democratic nation with a strong capitalistic economy. In this situation the United States defies Rule-Based perspective because it does not recognize a fellow democratic capitalist nation due to the the possible outcomes that would result if they did. This shows that the United States is revolving its policy with Taiwan around an Ends-Based Model. The United States defends China’s claim to Taiwan because it feels that it will benefit the United States in the long run. The United States values its trade with China more than the plight of Taiwan, showing a clear leaning towards Ends-Based morality rather than Rule-Based.

Have a Good Extended Weekend,

Nora & Chris (We’re too tired to think up a witty signoff)

Morals / Ethics and Our Topic

     Political systems and their practices are codified morals.  Therefore, since our subject revolves around two opposing political systems (China/communism and the United States / democratic capitalism) there are undoubtedly moral issues involved. 

    While there are no violent episodes between the two nations, they are definitely trying to influence the East Asian region with their political beliefs.  This brings up a few moral dilemmas.  Both China and the United States have set political beliefs, however their relations with one another has forced each nation to forego these beliefs for economic purposes.  An example, the United States does not recognize Taiwan even though it is a democratic and capitalist nation. 

    Another moral issue is that of the two superpowers are using third party nations as their economic battlegrounds.  These nations, including South Korea and Japan, have heavy American investment, yet are constantly politically threatened by communist China. 

      While the economic issues are the main sources of tension between China and the United States, moral values play a role in how policies are carried out. 

         May Random Acts of Kindness Define Your Day

              Priestess Spellissy and Pope Myers

How does the State relate to my topic?

            The People’s Republic of China’s increasing sphere of influence sets the foundation for conflict between itself and the United States.  China’s dominance of East Asia poses a threat to the thriving capitalist democracies of Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea.  China’s continued growth is a result of the state wanting to increase its control (and thus its power).  Realists would argue that China desires this power so they can compete with the United States as a hegemon.  China’s moves are influenced by their communist tendencies and under international restraints.  In response to China’s growing power, constructivists believe that the United States must maintain its image as the leader of democracy and capitalism.  Therefore, just like in the Cold War, the United States cannot allow this region to be dominated by a communist coalition. 

            While these theories mentioned above focus on the pursuit for power, radicalism would denounce such ideas and instead accuse the state as being an agent for big business.  Radicalists recognize the value of the East Asian region in terms of production and a developing market.  Therefore, the impending conflict between the United States and China is really a business struggle between multinational corporations and their executives. 

            Whether it is the state acting autonomously or the bourgeoisie working behind the curtain, the tension between these two superpowers is a present problem.  Even though the United States and China have similar economic interests, their political backgrounds are slowly creating a neo-Cold War atmosphere. 

                     Writing for the $$$$,

                             Economic Administrator, Nora Spellissy PhD. and

                             Financial Department Chair, Chris Myers PhD.

How does the International System relate to my topic?

Liberalism / Neoliberal Institutionalism

            The liberal perspective of the Chinese sphere of influence is that there are many components dictating what occurs between China and the surrounding regions.  There are the interests of the general public, multinational corporations, and bureaucratic entities that all play into the process of how the Chinese sphere of influence is structured and how the United States reacts to it. 

            Another liberal conception of the international system is that China and the United States recognize that they share common interests.  These interests prevent either nation from taking extreme measures to strengthen themselves. 

            Neoliberal institutionalism is similar to realist thought in that they believe that the international system is anarchic by nature.  However it remains a liberal view in the sense that they conclude that cooperation is the final result. 

 

Realism / Neorealism

            The realist perspective on the international system is that the state is the primary actor in an anarchic global setting.  As the Chinese sphere of influence continues to grow in the world due to its huge economic success, the international community is seeing a gradual shift in the balance of power.  Right now, the world is currently a unipolar system with the United States as a relatively unchallenged hegemon.    However, as China continues to grow, it is slowly shifting towards a bipolar system, in which there are two great powers.  A realists would also point out that the sphere of influence is determined by the interactions of these two states. 

 

Radicalism / Dependency Theory

            According to radicalism, stratification, the uneven distribution of resources, is how the international system is defined.  The United States and China have far more resources than any nations in the vicinity.  And while nations like Japan and Taiwan are economically successful, they are at the mercy of political and militaristic power.  Therefore, these second tier nations are caught in the middle of an economic struggle between China and America. 

         Keep Marching On,

                 Red Army Commander Myers and Head Chairman Spellissy

How does IR theory relate to our topic?

Liberalism

            The Chinese sphere of influence could have arguably stabilized the region, replacing the importance of military dominance with an economic focus.  The major nations in this area have not fought each other since the already mentions confrontations of the Cold War and have become interdependent on China’s economy.  For the United States, while some of their political ideals are contradicted by cooperating with the People’s Republic of China, doing so brings economic benefits to America. 

Realism

            From a traditional realist’s point of view, if communist regimes are threatening democracies and capitalism in East Asia, the United States (presumably a hegemon), should use its force to stabilize the region, making it safer for nations like Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea.  However, the United States’ reluctance to involve itself in East Asia shows that China’s growing economic power is quickly deteriorating America’s position as a hegemon.  Realists would suggest that there is a slow shift in the world’s balance of power, changing the international structure from a unipolar system to a bipolar one. 

Radicalism

            The People’s Republic of China is self-identified as a communist nation.  However, they are increasingly moving towards a more capitalistic economy.  This is reminiscent of the Cold War; however, unlike the USSR before it, China has not fallen victim to the inherent economic contradictions that communism poses, allowing it to thrive in a capitalistic community.  This hybrid-communist political system and capitalistic economy has taken radical ideas and further evolved them. 

     Respectfully,

             Comrade Myers and Comrade Spellissy

Semester Long Blog Assignment (so nothing’s repeated)

            The Chinese sphere of influence has become such a force in East Asia that it can no longer be ignored by the United States.  While the People’s Republic of China has not traditionally used its military force against other nations, it uses its vast economy to pressure neighboring nations to follow their own agendas.  During the Cold War, the United States’ policy of containment actively forced America to deploy its forces in the fight against communism.  Examples of this include the Korean and Vietnam wars. 

            In those conflicts, the People’s Republic of China played an important role in assisting the communist forces against the democratic and capitalistic regimes.  Today, even though the Cold War is over, Chinese influence in these regions still remains and poses a threat to liberal governments.  Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea are flourishing democracies with powerful economies under the threat of communist confrontation.  How does the Chinese sphere of influence affect the United States’ foreign policies regarding the protection of its political ideals in East Asia?  

          Long Live McCarthyism

               Chris Myers and Nora Spellissy

How International Relations Affects Us

     As University of Richmond students, we are affected by international relations in a specific way.  We do not directly deal with the policy making process nor do we travel and interact with people from different countries on a daily basis.  However, international relations influences our lives in terms of consumerism and security. 

     The clothing we wear and the food we eat primarily comes from trade with other countries.  The relations the United States has with other nations directly impacts the costs which the consumer is subjected to.  For example, the price of gas in the United States has fluctuated depending on the situation in the Middle East.  And while students are not physically present in the Middle East, they feel the repercussions every time they go to fill up their gas tanks. 

     Traditionally, the United States has been separated from Europe by the Atlantic Ocean.  This factor has given the United States public a sense of security and a feeling of not needing to involve themselves.  For examples, the United States only entered World War II when it was directly attacked at Pearl Harbor by the Japanese.  After the September 11 attacks, however, the United States public (including ourselves) was reminded that we are not excluded from international relations.  Because of the United States’ involvement in world politics, America has become the target of terrorist and radical groups.  The safety of the United States public has become directly linked to the stance that America takes towards these groups. 

    We are not soldiers, foreign investors, or international politicians but we are citizens of a global community.  Therefore, our actions and the actions of others are continuously affected by the occurrences of the world. 

 Chris Myers and Nora Spellissy

Peace Out

An event that occurred in my life which could be used to divide my life into two periods would be the September 11th terrorist attacks. Before 9/11, I was content on living my life entirely closed minded, and unworried about events happening in the world around me. I was fine not watching the news and being oblivious to foreign affairs. I only learned about the world through history and did not care to learn about the present news or politics. However, because I live in New York City, September 11th hit pretty close to home, literally. Although I live uptown from the World Trade Center (or ground zero as it is now referred to), the next day, I could smell the burnt rubber and metal on my block. After these terrorist attacks, I wanted to learn more about who they were and why they did this because I was no longer comfortable being in the dark. I began reading and researching about Al-Qaeda and Osama Bin Laden and attempted to learn their reasoning. By becoming more knowledgeable on this topic I no longer felt as afraid about the future and instead knew what to expect with regards to the United States’ standing in the world.