Do China and UAE Understand Each Other - Research Paper Example

The information technology has eliminated the monopoly over knowledge. A few decades ago there were a few media channels which would basically dictate the entire thought process of a nation. This, however, has changed over the last decade. The inter connection of every media sources has made it impossible to control or manipulate knowledge. This means that a student surfing the web on his laptop would have an opinion on bilateral relationships between his nation and their neighbors.  This opinion would not be corrupted by any form of government propaganda but would be based on a fair analysis of information found from many sources.

This revolution in information technology and media has in fact affected human interactions when it comes to international relationships. The dominance on channels of information ensured that the entire nation believed IR policies of the government. This was actually a top-down approach where the sentiments of the public were being dictated by the government. The information at the bottom has made this approach obsolete. The sentiments of public now increasingly dictate international interaction.

This has created a bottom-up approach to international relations. This change in international interactions has opened up a new dimension of relationships between nations. These new dimensions are no longer dependent on selfish interactions. The new relationships are based on projects which are mutually beneficial to everyone. The aim of these projects is not to increase wealth or dominance but in fact to create an environment of bilateral interactions and cross cultural discourse. The diversity in our world makes it impossible for any nation to be successful without understanding different cultures and adapting their own customs.

This does not mean that one’s own culture should be forgotten and displaced. In fact, the understanding of various cultures is not meant to eliminate one’s own culture at all. The aim is to increase the understanding in order to facilitate learning. This learning makes it possible to preach one’s own set of ideas to others and bring oneself closer to their heritage. From a business perspective, it’s not possible for a nation to be self-sufficient. We live in a world of mutual interaction and trade.

Each nation has to rely on several others to provide for its people. This doesn’t only mean imports but exports as well. The Arabian nations, for example, are engaged in oil trade with many international corporations. These multinationals belong to different countries and their cultures are in turn affected by their host nations. Business deals are not effective until both parties understand cultural differences in their business partners.