International Relations: An Altered Perspective

We have learned a lot in IR this semester. International Relations has taken on a whole new meaning for the both of us. Particularly, we are more and more aware of the ability of events in one country to spur or detract events in another. Most specifically, our new view of International Relations has us aware of the interconnectedness of our globe. While all the theories of IR have some perceptive and accurate claims, the liberal theory rings true the most. International Relations is the spread of human rights, it is the increased foreign regulation of domestic policies for things such as the environment, and it is the cooperation among states to create the most advantageous and efficient political economy for everyone. This, of course, is a very idealized view of the world and the states that act within it. Nevertheless, we believe that this is the view that we should take from the course in order to spur the movement towards this possibility in the future. Needless to say, International Relations means plenty of states competing on a global playing field to reach their lofty and individualized goals; however, as was demonstrated by the prisoner’s dilemma - as communication among actors increases, the possibility for cooperation, which is the most advantageous route to world prosperity, similarly rises. Thus, as International Relations become more entrenched in our daily lives, we should see more cooperation, and thus, hopefully, more prosperity for all mankind.

To me, international relations is a means to not only prosper as a global society but to further understanding between different peoples. Today it is more of a benefit to be a global student rather than a domestic one. There are many different meanings to international society and I feel that it is imperative that everyone is versed in international relations. International relations is a means to proseper economically in a world where competition is at its highest. It is all but impossible to buy anything made from a single country with no inputs from anywhere else. The scary part about all of this is that it is only beginning. The world is headed down a path towards even greater interconnectivity and eventually a point of unity. Although that is scary, it also represents great oppurtunities for entrepreneurs and politicians alike. Although I personally do not believe that interconnectedness will ever yield a unified entity such as the E.U, I think that we will eventually be unable to see true nation states. I am excited and thrilled to be heading out into a world where international relations is a daily part of life. The possibilites of this are truly endless. I think that in the end, the world is a better place with heightened international relations and a place where you can truly reach for the stars, both literally and figuratively. No matter what theory or perspective you take be it liberal, realist, or radical they all reach the same end; a world where eveyone is interacting on a scale never before realized. These are truly exciting times.

India: Strong Externally, Weak Internally.

India is heavily involved with IFOs, such as the World Bank. It is working with this organization to build infrastructure. India is different from other “developing” countries that seek aid from IFOs, for it already has a GDP of $3 trillion dollars growing at an astounding 8.5% a year. In comparison, the United States is growing at 2.2% a year. Obviously there are differences in scalation of the economy and the fact that one is industrialized but still 8% is a huge growth rate. Thus, the World Bank’s involvement in India is very different from its involvement in most of its member-states. It does not need to give India loans or aid it in “tightening its belt” on spending. Help is instead directed towards the allocation of India’s wealth. India desperately needs infrastructure development.

http://www.worldbank.org.in/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/SOUTHASIAEXT/INDIAEXTN/0,,contentMDK:20195738~menuPK:295591~pagePK:141137~piPK:141127~theSitePK:295584,00.html

While the country has the money, its rapid growth needs to be followed up with internal development. Roads, power plants, agriculture, health, and education are all still at a developing country while their monetary growth is at the level of an industrialized state.

India, in spite of its many flaws, has managed to shed its image of a third world poverty stricken nation. it may very well be the paradigm of advancemetn without great amounts of foreign help. India has managed to pave its way without having to fully rely on IFOs. India has achieved all of this in spite of a high level of corruption in the country. whether it be individual industry or government officials it is very easy to see that corruption rules the day in India. The World Bank is the only organization that can really help set up a plan to decrease corruption and move india out of the 72nd most corrupt country slot in the world.

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0781359.html

 

An ethical review of India’s international interactions

In the international system there are many ethical and moral ambiguities. When looking at India and many other countries in the world it is very easy to apply one standard of ethics from whatever point of view one holds. It is like looking through a periscope, one can only see a part of the whole picture. This is how ambiguities are created in the international scene. People wish to view other societies through their own ethical beliefs and perspectives without regard to any other local or national cultural differences. For instance, when American businesses interact with Indian corporations and workers, they must consider their cultural and moral differences. Indians are largely Hindu or Buddhist; whereas, Americans are predominantly Christian. While these religions have overlaps, there are large differences in the moral values which they promote. This difference in ethical traditions complicates international interactions.

Additionally, the United States has lofty ideals for human rights that often conflict with working conditions and wages in other countries, such as India. Because of this discrepancy in business practices there are inherent tensions in doing business between the countries. It is very easy to look at labor practices in India and judge according to American traditional ethical standards. It’s easy to believe someone making mere dollars a day can survive but one must look beyond their own customary beliefs and commonalities in America. A few dollars go a lot further in India than in the United States. One of the most sought after jobs in India for the past few years are telemarketing jobs. These jobs, undesirable and more expensive to put in the United States, are goldmines for the Indian youth ( From the Book The World is Flat) . Telemarketers are traditionally looked down upon as less desirable jobs in the United States.

It is imperative for any student of the international world to be able to accept both his culture and any other culture that he would come across. This student must create his own cultural and ethical system which involves pieces of any culture they would come across. On a side note, it is very common when in a different country or culture to subject yourself to their ways of life and make your own subordinate to theirs.

Here are some questions to keep in mind:

Should we invest money, time, and labor into a society which does not uphold our values or our basic ethical and moral views?

Is it wrong that there is not an enforceable system of international values?

Main Conclusion:

India and America have different notions of ethical traditions and how morals should be upheld in society and more specifically the national economy..

India y el sistema internacional

Each day, India becomes a more powerful player in the international system. With the growing tide of internatonalization and globalization, which is “flattening” the world, it becomes increasingly important to understand how the international system affects not only the individual states internally but also how those individual states interact.

India’s growing interdependence on foreign states is just one example of this. A liberal would note the economic dependency of India on other countries for investment and goods. With this economic unification comes a cultural shift. A new, international identity has formed, with specific international interests that benefit multiple states as opposed to just one. India has joined this international identity thanks to its large, young, and industrially ambitious population.

Another important aspect in viewing India from the system perspective is its involvement in NGOs and international organization. India is a member of the UN, and through this connection it receives aid from WTO, World Bank, and IMF. This influx of capital has allowed India to become a major player in the world market, and consequently, in world political affairs. This growth of power creates the possibility to shift the world from a unipolar system to a quad or multipolar system (other powers include US, China, Russia, and possibly the EU). The realists would focus most on this aspect when viewing India internationally.

From the system level, radicals additionally would focus on India’s rising economic clout. This conversion to capitalism is just another step toward the demise of the international system thanks to economic policy.

Another interesting aspect of India’s involvement in the international system is its caution toward foreign aid. After the 2004 tsunami, India denied many offers of foreign assistance from concerned countries. Ironically, it is more than willing to accept monetary aid for economic and industrial development. This sheds light on India’s new international identity, which is more concerned with its relative (economic) power toward other countries than the well-being of its citizens.

India….

 Our theme for this blogging assignment is the affect which India has on the global scene, both politically and economically. India is one of the most exciting countries in the world today, and after only gaining its independence sixty years ago after World War II, it has made great strides to attempt to become a world power. The country itself seems to follow a very constructivist attitude towards international relations, and seems to strive to keep itself out of most of the conflicts in the world.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2_mountain_units_to_counter_Pak_China/articleshow/2762650.cms

A very interesting article about the buildup of troops on the Indian border with China, a very interesting move by a country far more worried about the disputes with Pakistan over their borders. It seems that India is beginning, albeit very slowly, to embrace its role as an up and coming politcal and economic power.

http://www-wds.worldbank.org/servlet/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2007/02/05/000016406_20070205094817/Rendered/PDF/wps4132.pdf

again, following the theme of India’s effect on international relations, this world bank document discusses the financial underpinnings of both China and India, mentioning both as “Net Borrowers, shot on equity and long on debt.”  Obviously, this would have a dire effect on the global economy should either begin to lose prominenece in the global economy. with so much trade flowing through India, and so much capitol being poured into the markets there, it would be a disaster should India have an economic crisis. It is also interesting, something that we didn’t know at all, that India holds almost 140 billion dollars worth of U.S reserves. That seems to be a staggering amount of foreign output for a country which is struggling to keep many parts of its country in consistent power.

In regard to the different theories of international relations, India presents many harsh realities for the international system today.

Firstly, India is a rising economic power, which makes it a potential threat for hegemons, like the United States and the rising China. While India is not nearly powerful enough to present an imminent threat to the security of these countries, realists would definitely address the possibility. In an international system where state actors are constantly working to augment their relative power, major powers today will surely be keeping their eye, and their military clout, focused on India.

Radicalists would look at India as a periphery country rising into the semiperiphery. While change is slow, and capitalist powers almost never switch positions in the hierarchy of states, shifts are possible. Radical theory would assert that India is a living example. For instance, it is changing from a proletariat country in which its labor was exploited for the benefit of the bourgeousie states to a state that is OUTSOURCING its labor. To this effect, India has sold into the capitalist market and is doing unto others exactly what was once done to itself. India is slowly emerging as a powerful capitalist state that seeks to exploit weaker states; however, it is not nearly formidable enough to enter the core.

Constructivists would look at India and try to see how internal forces, such as culture or history, have shaped India’s actions. What are the effects of the caste system, of Gandhi, and of overpopulation on the country’s world interactions and relationships? They would also say to realists that the major powers do not need to build up arms against India, for right now, they have a common interest in trade. Peace is beneficial to both sides.

Lastly, liberals would look at India and say that it is a democracy, a “Federal Republic,” and therefore would surely not foster strained relations with other democratic powers (according to the Democratic Peace Theory).

Still, there is always the question of what is in store for India in relation with China, two very similar powers-on-the-rise. Will these two states compete for international attention and prestige? Is it possible for both to enter the core system? With time, we will see.

Our Decision

We have decided on India for our blog theme this semester. We will look at it as it interacts with other countries, especially economically. We think that this will be a most interesting topic because India is rising as an international power and is facing many internal as well as external challenges. Naturally, with the global nature of today’s politics, even the most domestic issues will have international ramifications. We will trace these in great detail and with extensive analysis, hopefully being able to apply the theories and techniques that we study in class to our exploration.

Consumerism and Conservation in the International Realm

After watching the most compelling documentary on cell phones, we have come to the consensus that we readily affect international relations through our purchasing power and general consumption of goods.

There are a plethora of things which we consume every day that are imported. The stores where we buy any good often are based outside of the United States and may not conform to labor standards of the United States. Consequently our buying decisions may indirectly support terrorism, wars, human rights violations and could contribute to the continued impovertization of some countries. Our buying habits also affect the prices of the goods themselves, and can influence the survival and continued prosperity of multinational corporations in every continent. In example, Wal-Mart consumes 10% of all Chinese exports. Should American consumers decide to boycott Wal-Mart not only would the American based business be in jeopardy, but China would also face economic turmoil as well with a substantial decrease in export consumption. Another example would be how much oil is used by U.S consumers. Much of that oil comes from overseas via Saudi Arabia, Iran, Nigeria, Russia, etcetera. Should the United States drastically reduce their consumption of oil by say 35%, these rentier states would suffer an economic collapse because of the dependency on oil exports. This illustrates how the purchasing decisions that we personally make can affect the economies and economic well being of other nations. In our own personal lives we can help to affect the environment. Here is a list of 350 things you can do to help save the environment, which are things you and I can do every day!!

http://seniorproject-melanie.blogspot.com/2007/06/suggestions.html

By conserving energy within our dorms or by carpooling, for instance, we can preserve the earth for future generations across nations. This is one of the most overlooked ways in which we affect international relations DAILY.

The current and past credit crises in the United States illustrate another way of people, even us, can affect the economc status of many nations in the world. When we buy something on credit, say a house which many of us could be buying in the next five to ten years, it is assumed by the lender that you will pay that money back. Thus, a mortgage is created on the house and you make payments at an interest rate to pay off the house. It allows us to buy a house without all the money upfront. Credit, however, is a dangerous thing to play with. As seen currently, with a potentially recessionary economy in the United States and people defaulting on loans and mortgages, we can see a potential economic pitfall. Other countries invest heavily in our markets and our economic well being, and thus, when our economy slows or we default on a mortgage,other countries begin to worry and could also face consequences through market and futures fluctuations.

Thus, it has been demonstrated that we, as simple citizens of the United States, affect international communities in ALMOST every decision we make and in ALMOST every action we take.

Peace. ciao. cheerio.

A and the L snizzle

My absent mind, tardiness, and a healthy dose of chinese zen…

The one event which I could seperate my life with would be my business trip to China which I took last Christmas (06). It was an experience which will last me a lifetime. The idea, which actually worked very well, was to teach SAT classes to high school kids in China who have very little current access to SAT classes. There is a huge demand for the SAT over in China, as many people want to continue their education in the United States post High School. My friend and I (he speaks fluent mandarin Chinese and had connections over in China) wrote up a business plan, and began to create the material from scratch which we would use to teach our classes. Once we actually went to China, we established many different contacts which would help fund and allow us to create a company in China. Creating a company in China is not a simple endeavor, rather, it is something which is very complicated and all but impossible to do without an influential official or contact already in China. It was a bewilderingly tough process, between writing the strategies and materials ourselves, and then procuring the funding (some from ourselves, others from sources unknown even to me), and then setting up a business under his parent’s company already there. It was so influential on me because it taught me so much about doing business across borders, especially with a country so corrupt yet prosperous as China, and tuaught me some very tough lessons about doing business with another person, creating a corporation and a partnership, and trying to mesh together over a business model. Suffice it to say, my friend and I have parted ways since then over many disagreements in implementation and to an extent ownership. The experiences, however, will last a lifetime and influence my thoughts on economics and business even to this day.

-  Addison Humbert

A Monumental Change in my Humble Existence

Hmmm… I would have to say that the most significant change in my life was when I “broke it off” with my best friend from middle school and joined a new, completely different, group of girls in high school. When I look at the path she has followed since then and the one that I am on now, I can honestly say that I would be somewhere completely different if I were still friends with her. So, as boring as it sounds, I conclude that my life post-Alli-breakup is quite unlike my life pre-Alli-breakup, and that this is most monumental change of my existence thus far. Yipee. 

(This is Leigh Ann)