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 [...]

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 [...]

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.  [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]