Politics of the Global Community October 2002
Chip Gagnon
Due Monday 10/14/02
Choose a major article on an international relations topic in a US newspaper, for example the New York Times. Using the world wide web, find an article on the same topic in a non-US newspaper. (You may compare more than two articles on the same topic, or articles from more than two newspapers. Also, the non-US newspaper does not have to be from the country which is the subject of the articles. For example, and article on Iraq from a Chinese newspaper would be fine).
(Please note that the International Herald Tribune, although published in Paris, is a US newspaper. There are several such newspapers, usually identifiable by the American names of the writers. If in doubt, ask me.)
Links to online papers can be accessed at: www.ithaca.edu/gagnon/newslink.htm
Write a 2-3 page essay in which you:
a) summarize each article;
b) discuss the differences between the two articles.
Please include copies of the two articles with your essay.
Some things to look for in the articles:
Who are the main actors? That is, whose behavior is the article describing or explaining? Is the focus on individuals, organizations or states, armies?
What motivations do the articles ascribe to actors? Why are they doing what they're doing?
What kinds of factors do the articles look at to explain the policy or behavior in question?
If the newspaper is using a press agency as a source of information, please note that, and please avoid US press agency-sourced articles. Major US press agencies include AP-Associated Press; NYTimes.