Reflection One: Defining World Politics

In response to our session last friday, it must be said that I am both impressed by the knowledge of my classmates and confused by the complexity of the issues we debate. 

At the center of our debate was the fundamental question that, in my mind, still has not been adequately answered: What is not world politics? It is impossible to determine which is the most important issue of world politics without first answering this question. 

During class we explored the full implications of the phrase world politics. This term could be used to describe trade between two governments, conflicts between two nations, or collaborative projects by a group of countries. From these examples it is clear that world politics applies to actions and events that affect institutions at the state level and above. But what about local issues? Could not world politics also transcend to the local level? In one scenario, a case was made that even seemingly insignificant issues could end up with international repercussions, as seen in the rise of Hamas, which assumed the role of the government and shortly after infiltrated it. Granted, such instances are atypical, but that they occur mandates the inclusion of lesser organizations in the category of world politics. 

After our discussion, it is clearly impossible that everyone will agree on a universal definition of world politics. But for the practical purposes of this course, I will infer that world politics is the interaction between two or more parties. It has an impact on an international level regardless of the event, action, or movement that initiates this impact. Whether it is experienced by a few people or by many, there must be a conscious connection between those affected. 

The above definition is crudely stated and vague-but in the study of such a broad topic there must be some degree of the gray area. World politics is a constantly changing and (more importantly) constantly occurring field. There is no correct quantitative answer to a scenario that is still evolving. If there was, it would more likely be found in the more experienced studies of a political correspondent than the disorganized theories of a college freshman. That being said, the great PTJ stated that after three weeks, the only difference between his students and any other political mind was the amount of time that they had invested. If thats the case, in two more weeks we just may have an answer.