Issues in International Relations

A.    Introduction

International Relation became a discipline to study the relation among nations. It aims to have cooperative, united and peaceful nations around the world. International Relation intends to seek a better international community by analyzing and formulating foreign policy, and for securing the welfare of all states around the world. Diplomatic act is the way that is use by International Organization to avoid igniting world wars. Establishing international organization (League of Nations) after the war the IR emerged as a formal academic ‘discipline’ in 1918. In the past century we have seen the role of International Relation to maintain and develop welfare among nations to nations. It involves a diverse range of issues on international community. The principle of the study of International Relation is based on world history and used it to prevent states to engage in war for the welfare of the world. League of Nation is establish to have a economic development among states and it didn’t  succeed, United Nation is establish to show how to maintain peace and welfare in the international community as well as economic cooperation. The diversity of United Nation as an international organization is very helpful to secure and protect lives, resources, peace, security, market, territory and promote development among nations. UN is a tool that prevents nation to nation conflicts that may lead to world wars. It is near to impossibility to maintain peace and welfare to the world based on our history but International Relations have prove that it is not impossible to secure welfare around the world.

B.     Ancient Era

In old world expansion of empires is everywhere, Ancient Greece, Roman Empire, China’s Dynasties and etc. The Old World comprises Africa, Asia, and Europe (collectively known as Afro-Eurasia), plus surrounding islands (or at least those parts which were known to classical geography before the 15th century). It is monarchical rule and territories gain thru wars. Basically empires are group of kingdom and with one ruler, the emperor. International Relation are a lot different back then, messenger are sent not to prevent war but to warn kingdoms to join their ruling or they will engage in war. Religion is one of the factor to expand a territory, like in Holy Roman Empire, Constantine reunite Rome with Christianity and able to expand his territories. In China’s history Qing dynasty has the hugest territory and the last. In reality, Chinese history is not as neat as is often described and it was rare indeed for one dynasty to end calmly and give way quickly and smoothly to a new one. Dynasties were often established before the overthrow of an existing regime, or continued for a time after they had been defeated. Rulers gain their respect with other empire by means of how large their territory is. In the world history there are many well known individuals for expansion of their territories, and the best example I will give is Alexander “the Great”. By the age of thirty, he had created one of the largest empires in ancient history, stretching from the Ionian Sea to the Himalayas. He was undefeated in battle and is considered one of the most successful commanders of all time. In old world of ancient world the International Law was non-existent, the natural state between foreign nations was universally considered to be war. Peace could only exist as the result of express treaties. Nations were enemies or allies; there was, in theory, no middle ground. The development of any system of international law during a period of this character was impossibility.

C.     Wars and Diplomacy (1648-1914)

During the Medieval Period wars are inevitable, in 1648 the Thirty Year’s War end and that is one of the most devastating war of religion. In 1900’s another war shocked the world and a truly devastation and destruction to the world. The World War I started in 1914 and ended in 1918, and this war produces many genocides, revolutions and unreasonable killings. In the 19th Century, the major European powers had gone to great lengths to maintain a balance of power throughout Europe, resulting by 1900 in a complex network of political and military alliances throughout the continent. Many had died around the world in this war, but an ideology of maintain the welfare of the world emerge. Introduce by Woodrow Wilson, the League of Nation is established on Paris Peace Conference and by the Treaty of Versailles the League of Nations is established on 28 June 1919. The league was intended to introduce international welfare by using diplomatic acts instead of violence. Economy is one of the major reasons why the league is established. The First World War had a lasting impact on social memory and this war brought International Relation as a discipline.

D.    Birth of International Relation (1919-1939)

After the establishment of the League of Nations in 1919, the economy of the world became vigorously and trade & cooperation are done around the world. Industries rises all around the world and the effect of globalization had felt. The birth of International Relation arises, by Woodrow Wilson showing the political ideology of Idealism can fit into the international community. Diplomatic act is being used to maintain peace and prevent of war. IR is the key to achieve cooperation and to trade with other nations. This era is the pick of industries around the world, and by the help of the League of Nation many countries had experience dramatically development on their economy. Institutionalising diplomacy is the foundation of LON and as being introduced as a field of academe study. But the league didn’t last, in 1939 the league failed to prevent another war from emerging. The World War II happened and the league was abolished. The ignition of war came from the conflict in the Europe, especially in Italy with the fascism leader Benito Mussolini.

E.     Hot and Cold War (1940-1993)

The World War II is a failure of League of Nation, another devastation war to the world. The war is being ignited by the Pearl Harbour Attack in Hawaii the largest naval base of the United States in 1941 of December. The war wage on the western and south, many have died and many nations suffer. The World War II was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis. It was the most widespread war in history, with more than 100 million military personnel mobilised. In a state of "total war," the major participants placed their entire economic, industrial, and scientific capabilities at the service of the war effort, erasing the distinction between civilian and military resources. Marked by significant events involving the mass death of civilians, including the Holocaust and the only use of nuclear weapons in warfare, it is basically war of political ideology. The leadership of Adolf Hitler of Germany killed many civilians as well as Josef Stalin in USSR/Russia, of Benito Mussolini in Italy, and other leaders that create genocides.

The Cold War emerged after the World War II and it is between the wars of “ism”. The mass production of nuclear weapons of USSR as well as with Cuba for their security reason and the political ideology that is contrary to the ideology of USA, communism/socialism versus democratic form of government. It is cold war because there are no mass killings; it is only a rivalry of who is the world power. The Cuba is being embargoed as a sanction for collaborating with USSR to produce nuclear warfare. The war of ideology comes to an end and John F. Kennedy successfully managed not to engage into war. The Cold war end in 1993, and Cuba and USSR stop producing nuclear warfare.

F.      Environment and Human Rights

The impact of Globalization has consequences, the environment degeneration. That’s why United Nation does not only focuses on maintaining order and welfare to the world. UN form a international organization to protect and preserve our resources in our environment and also human development. UNEP or United Nation Environment Programme intent to promote the protection for environment and UNICEP or United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund focuses on the welfare of children around the world. As we see the impact of globalization, has a huge effect on our environment and the degeneration of our environment affects the food supply that is chain to the health of every human in the world. Having this both international organization will remind the world that we must act now for us to have a sustainable development. International Relation has come to a bigger picture after it is establish, promoting the total welfare of the world is their advocacy.

G.    The Philippines-What do you want?

The Philippines is very well known for their agricultural products and we will be economic competitive if we are dedicating ourselves for one goal. The issue on Spratly Island with the China is very sensitive; we can’t fight against China to acquire that territory. The thing that we probably do is to keep in silence and let the international community push our ownership to the Spratly Island. The corruption in our country is very rampantly practiced, that is why we are burden with so many grievances. It is also the reason why we are the number one supplier of workers around the world; if we reduce the practice of corruption probably there will be no OFW and poverty. If we just implement our laws and policy very effectively probably there will be no injustice in our country. We must not abuse the use of our resources for us to be able to maintain the beauty of our country, to attract more tourists.  If we educate our people, probably there is no hindrance in passing a law that is essential to everyone, like RH bill, we must have a full knowledge before concluding our views. If only our government allocate equal respect regardless of their religion, probably there will be no MILF’s and Abu Sayaff to spread violence in our country. We must be obliged to follow the rules imposed by the government and the government shall put an outmost responsibility to every Filipino people.

Instead of complaining, we must develop the things that we are known for, like agriculture. We must focus on ourselves; we must not rely to other countries for us to be able to survive. We must know what the things that we will to prioritize most are; concentrate to that for achieving our goals and development. Our government must always advocate the idea of patriotism and not promote imported goods and culture by letting our domestic product rule our market. We must set our mind to one goal for us to have an order and have a clear draft of our aspiration. Instead of questioning the government, support them. We don’t have any problem in the structure of our government, the problem lies into the diverse culture of the people.