What IR means to me

International Relations has always been an interesting topic for me, not only because I enjoy learning what’s happening internationally, but because it’s exciting to know I can have an effect on the world and vice versa.  What products I choose to buy, the ways protect the environment, or my actions to support the troops overseas all affect international relations.  International relations are also important to me because events happening around the world can also have an effect on my life and the lives of people I know.  One of the prominent ways international relations are currently affecting me is through the rising price of gas.  I believe international relations is a topic all people, especially those of my generation, should become knowledgeable about.  The actions taken that affect international relations today will also affect international relations in the future.  By understanding what’s happening in the world today, my generation can learn how to positively affect international relations so as to hopefully limit conflict and problems in the future. 

The Media and International Financial Institutions

How are international financial institutions such as the World Bank or International Monetary Fund portrayed in the media? Many of the recent news articles on Google News do not portray the IMF or the World Bank in a purely negative or positive way; rather, all of the articles in the media concerning the IMF and World Bank present a matter-of-fact attitude.  Thus, there is nothing too noteworthy to mention about the current relationship between the media and institutions such as the IMF or World Bank.  Current articles concerning both institutions seem to be reporting on the growing concern of a global food crisis that is threatening political stability and development in many countries.  Although findings fail to display a significant relationship between the media and the World Bank and/or IMF, it would be interesting to imagine what type of effect the media could have specifically on the actions of institutions such as the IMF or World Bank. Is it possible that media coverage could pressure the IMF or World Bank to take action and support a country and/or situation to which it had previously failed to respond? The first response would question whether the World Bank or IMF would ever deny help to a country that desperately required it.  The second would assert the media absolutely has the strength to influence the opinions of these institutions to a point where they could be impelled to take action.

The Media and Ends/Rules Based Actions

While it is difficult to analyze media coverage in terms of an ends-based or rules-based perspective, it is certainly possible.  Such philosophical traditions can be applied to media coverage especially during times of war.  Hypothetically speaking, let’s say the United States is involved in a war overseas that so far has been in its favor.  However, a significant event occurs in which many US soldiers are killed and the liklihood of the Untied States coming out of the war on top is diminished.  Consequentialism, or ends-based action, would aruge that the media wouldn’t necessarily need to report about the failures of the United States.  If withholding imformation from the American public was necessary to keep up the morale of the country, then taking such immoral action would be okay.  Deontology, or rules-based action, would argue that lying to the American public about America’s status overseas is inherently wrong.  This tradition would aruge that regardless of the consequences, whether the American public refuses to further support the war or the United States is forced to withdrawal, the media has the responsibility to report truthfully about what is happening overseas.  An example in U.S history of the use of rule-based action in media coverage is the Vietnam War.  When the media received pictures and film coverage of what was actually happening in Vietnam they knew it was their responsibility to reveal such coverage to the American public. Although such exposure resulted in the loss of support for the war by many people, it was the moral obligation of the media to not withhold that information from the American public.  The example of the Vietnam War reveals that using the rule-based perspective is better for analyzing the responsibilities of the media.

Morality in the Media

There is definitely a moral compentent in today’s media coverage, and I think most people interested in this topic would question whether the media is moral or immoral.  There are arguments that could go both ways.  Is the media moral because it covers ethical issues?  Or is it immoral because some of the topics dicussed (more specifically on television and on the radio) are inacceptable?  Some people might even go so far as to question can morality even exist in the media? This is a very intriguing topic which has much relevance in contemporary news media coverage. 

The Media and the State

            In international relations states use the media to acquire power, specifically intangible sources of power.  Power is the ability of a state to influence other states and control the outcomes of certain situations.  The use of the media gives a state the opportunity to enhance its intangible power sources, such as its national image and public support.  It is necessary for a state to promote its national image, not only to its own citizens but also to other states within the international system.  States have to ability to use the media to enhance their national image by displaying their achievements or advancements.  For example, many states use the media during times of war, especially when they are successful, in order to show off their accomplishments.  Another important and intangible aspect of a state’s power is the public support it receives.  Since many people watch the news or use the internet, it is extremely easy and worthwhile for states to display their achievements and promote their national image via the media in order to maintain followers.  Liberals, who place great importance on the sources of intangible power, would support the use of the media by the state in order to maintain a good national image and strong public support.  Constructivists, who place importance on intangible sources of power, also realize that power stems from a state’s ideas and language as well.  Therefore, they would argue the media could aid a state in achieving power by promoting its ideas and beliefs across the globe through its immediate accessibility. 

The International Sysem and the Media

The media can play an important role in the international system.  The media has the ability to keep states connected and informed about issues such as security threats, economic trends, sickness, weather, and anything else that can have an effect on a state.  The media also helps states maintain communication between each other; through the internet states are able to monitor new developments in the international system essentially every few minutes. For example, when Benazir Bhutto was assassinated, it was almost instantly listed as breaking news on televisions as well as on every internet news website.  This just shows how fast the news media can obtain information about states and how fast they can relay the news through broadcast and web-based media.   The media is also used as a propaganda tool in the international system.  States use the media to possibly sway the population of a neutral area towards their side over another.  During times of war, for example, the media usually discusses the number of deaths that have occurred in order to persuade its viewers internationally to be against the war.  Overall, the media proves to be an extremely useful tool in the international system because of its ability to distribute news rapidly. 

The Media and International Relations Theory

Not all International relations theories have a connection to the media.  Radicalism and constructivism have the greatest relationship to the media, while realism has none and liberalism has minimal.  Radical theorists would not use the media to enhance or promote their ideas.  They would argue that the media further strengthens the dominance of the capitalist system, and that capitalists use the media to their advantage.  On the other hand, constructivists would believe the media could support their views and ideas.  From a constructivist point of view, one of the most important aspects of international relations is the understanding of identities, language, and culture.  Therefore, Constructivists would argue that the media could be used as an instrument for propaganda.  Liberalists would also use the media as a tool to promote their ideals.  For example, liberalists use the media to portray wars and conflict in the worse possible manner, in hopes that their criticism of such occurrences will have an impact on the beliefs of their viewers.  Therefore, it can be seen how some International relations theorists could use the media to their advantage while other could not.  More to come…

Semester-long Blog Topic

       Over the course of the semester, we will examine the effect television news has on public attitudes around the world, while critiquing and adding our opinions.  The media, in particular broadcast news, holds the ability to influence society’s attitudes and views by shining light on important events happening around the world.  The media’s role in society is to be a “watchdog”, keeping tabs on government activity as well as elected officials.  With that being said, we will look at important current events, the ways in which television news covers and portrays these events, and the public’s response to the event.  Stay tuned…

How International Relations Affect Us

             The price of gas fluctuates every day.  What causes this to occur?   Among other factors, the price of gas is affected by government regulations that result from the United States’ relationships with countries that provide oil.  Not only is the price of gas affected by international relations, but the price of other consumer products is affected as well.  International relations do not only affect the United States economically.  They also affect human beings on a more personal level.  When the U.S. is at war with another country, international relations not only affect the individuals who are sent off to war, but also their families who remain at home.  International relations also skew the conceptions people from other countries have of Americans.  Many people stereotype Americans based on government action on the national level and what is conveyed through the media.  The same is true for Americans.  We stereotype other countries and their people as a result of their relations with the United States.  Until the next entry…

Matt’s Test

     At 20 years old, I can think of many events that occurred during my life that influenced the type of person I am today.  However, there is one event that sticks out in my mind that helped me grow as a person.  I started working at a county courthouse at the age of 17.  I had previous work experience but nothing like this.  I worked in the Prothonotary Office, which is basically a filing office for civil law.  During my time at work I learned a lot, about myself and about how the world works.  Before working at the courthouse I had little, if any, interest in what was going on in this country as well as the world as a whole because I did not feel like I was affected by anything.  However, seeing government work firsthand, I realized how important it was for me to develop an interest in politics and government, along with my already existing interest in law.  I would hear constant discussion about who people thought was going to be the next District Attorney, next Commissioner, etc.  Therefore, I found myself reading the newspaper on a daily basis to become more informed about the murmur I was hearing around the courthouse.  In addition to gaining work experience and a good resume builder, I benefited on a personal level, striking an interest that had not previously existed.  I have since furthered my interest in government and politics by taking political science classes at U of R.  As a result, I have curbed my ignorance, and built a foundation for my future which I am constantly adding to.