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)