My Public Affairs Role in a Globalized World

   Globalization is obviously difficult to clearly define.  Globalization can include anything that causes change on a global scale.   A part of a trend of interconnectedness economically and culturally throughout the world.  It includes the enormous potential that comes from international trade and it's ability to level the playing field for competition across the globe, but also the exploitation of labor and resources that exists as well.  Technology is what began Globalization, and what continues to power it.  Communication technology now allows for people to speak to each other instantaneously across the world.  Businesses are interacting and forming partnerships across continents, and there are many multinational corporations that cannot be easily defined as belonging to a single nation anymore. 
    While there are plenty of concerns relating to the future of globalization trends, I believe that these issues are surpassed by the enormous potential benefits.  As both individuals and nations interact with their counterparts across the world, forging business partnerships and cultural bonds, I see a world where people are better able to resolve issues and cooperate with one another.  I believe that globalization creates greater awareness of the diversity of world opinion and ideas in those exposed to it. 
    The Public Affairs Mission here at Missouri State I think can be summarized with awareness and action.  Awareness of the larger issues and of how we as a society have influence on the major questions of the time, and action in deciding to do something about them.  I think many college students are guilty of thinking of their world as very small.  We have our professors, our friends and family, but most of all ourselves.  Our consideration rarely extends beyond the campus grounds, much less to the rest of country or the world - at least in any significant way.  The Public Affairs mission embodies the idea that more can be done.  That students can be more aware of the wider world and how we can work to improve the problems we see. 
    When people are more aware of the events and controversies that are going on, we're better able to consider these issues and act on them.  With greater awareness debate on these issues on a larger scale can be more informed.  Awareness in general of public issues will motivate more people to try to do something about them.
    For me, fostering an attitude of acceptance and awareness is central.  The incredible diversity of world cultures and the effect these have on people's perceptions can't be understated.  Being aware that these cultural rifts exist is critical in understanding issues and being able to work with those from other nations.  An openness to these cultures and the ideas they produce is useful in an increasingly globalized world.  As Americans engage with people around the world, having this aspect of awareness would be invaluable. 
    From an economic standpoint, I think it's important for people to understand the cultural and economic influence of the world on the United States, and vice versa.  What occurs abroad in foreign markets has an effect on markets domestically.  Changes in our country economically have an affect throughout the rest of the world.  While Americans in general seem to be slowly grasping this idea, I don't believe the extent of this interconnectedness is really understood in the popular consciousness.  We tend to think of oil prices and shoddy imports, but rarely of the extreme penetration of foreign industries in the United States and the extent to which American business interests are represented abroad.  The Public Affairs Mission of Missouri State attempts to create this awareness in students.
As a Global Studies major, I see Globalization and Public Affairs as the central focus of my major.  While my career path is far from clear to me at this point, I see myself working in some capacity related to international affairs. I see Public Affairs as the natural extension of Global Studies, the application of the lessons that Globalization can teach. 
    There are a wide variety of challenges that lie ahead, both for myself personally and the world at large.  I think that while the world is interacting more and on a wider scale now that before, there are still vast differences and misunderstandings that exist.  Nations and their priorities are still very distinct, and the potential for conflict is still constant.  The difference with a more globalized world is that there may be greater opportunities to reach common ground.  I think it's easy to overhype globalization, both to it's benefits and negative consequences.  The fact is that this a trend, and likely encompasses a wide variety of things, both good and bad.  I think that in some ways this makes the world more complex, or at least more obviously complex, than the world was not so long ago with the interplay between the Soviet Union and the Free World.  Instead of two primary factions, we now have the the interaction and mixture of many countries, without the similar alignment from before.  The United States is still a power player, but our role is shifting like everyone else's.  As aware public citizens, we must strive to understand this new arena.