Background: What is International Relations

International Relations: The study of foreign affairs of and relations among states within an international system. 

Collective Goods Problem: How can a group serve its collective interests when doing so requires its members to forgo their individual interests? 

State: A territorial entity controlled by a government and inhabited by a person

These three terms have to be defined and understood clearly to further understand the field of International Relations. What was unannounced to me was that the topic surrounds us in everyday life. 

Examples : 
Sony, who is a Japanese electronic company, produces most commonplace electronics and the PlayStation Video Game Console. (The only American Video Game Console is the Xbox, which is produced by Microsoft)


The Major Fast food chains (McDonalds, Burger King, KFC) made famous in the United States are also very popular in other countries, for example, We looked up "KFC in Beijing, China" via Google Maps and found 5 all on one street, and way more just in the city alone

The National Debt (Money the US owes) is about 14.3 Trillion...who do you think is lending the US this money? Certainly not US banks 

9 times out of 10, most of your clothes, furniture, electronics, etc. were manufactured in China or Taiwan


In terms of the collective goods problem, we face this even in our own country, how can we act on the best interest of the group, when by doing that, one's individual interest is sacrificed? 

Examples: 
In a relationship, you and your partner have to act and make decisions together to satisfy the relationship (one may want to enjoy a night on the town, but chooses to stay in for the sake of the relationship) 

Congress proposes and passes bills all the time which are supposed to be in the best interest of the country but the arguments that come for these bills are the voices of individual interests. 


Each nation and individual is affected by the basic concepts of international relations, whether one understands it or not. Take a look at everything around you and then think about how it would be different if there was not an outside force affecting it.