I affect International Relations…everyday

When I watch TV, drive my car, accidentally leave the lights on in my room, fail to recycle, drink non fair trade coffee, and buy clothes not made in the United States, I am affecting International Relations. The seemingly normal everyday actions I take affect people across the globe. How you ask? Well the answer to that is simple. The world is increasingly becoming a globalized market. My t-shirts and ipod were made in China, some of the video games I play were designed and produced in Japan, some of the what should be out of season fruits and vegetables I eat are shipped in from South American countries. By driving my car everyday I am literally fueling international competition over oil and am part of the cause of gas prices going up because of the laws of supply and demand. In this simple action I am also doing my part to increase greenhouse gas emissions and deplete natural resources so that I can drive to Ukrops which is less than a mile away. My actions have reprecussions on a global scale and contribute to international policy and problems.

International relations also affect me everyday as well. Because of a group of terrorists and a few militant extremist dictators and political groups halfway across the world, I have a relation who was shipped to Iraq to help fight the war to supposedly make this world a better place. On a lighter note, the internet, which I am on for a good part of each day, allows me to listen to the latest rock bands out of Russia, or talk to my friends that are studying in different countries. In a way, I am part of a virtual global community because of the internet and I am relating to my peers in different areas of the world. When drought, famine or disease occurs in parts of the world I am also affected. Certain products that may have been readily and cheaply available previously would then become more pricey or less readily available.

Although I may feel that I am insignificant on a global scale most of the time, when I think about it, I realize I have a big role in international relations and vice versa.

honestly! think about how many cups of coffee college students go through everyday