S.Political Science 141 - International RelationsDr. JacobDecember 02, 2000I study Journalism, so I felt that I had an opportunity to solidify the media's role in all facets of regional and international relations, with regards to development, transition, and influence (regional as well as global). I first chose examine Daniel Lerner's development continuum, and this as a reference point, to discuss the role mass media plays in global transition and development, in particular how it is suited to aide in the socio-political development as well as the transition from Communism in Eastern Central Europe. Second, I wanted to do a journalistic comparison; I examined professionalism, journalistic integrity, ethics, consistencies as well as inconsistencies among global journalists using U.S. elections as an example. Lastly, I wanted to look at the current situation in Israel and global media coverage related to and influencing the situation. Finally, I will integrate the information and venture what it all means with regards to International Relations and the future. The first point of order is to understand Lerner's views and then to apply them."The Passing of Traditional Society" written by Daniel Lerner discusses transitional development in depth. The phenomenon is broken down into several factors including "the continuum of psychocultural modernization" (401), the idea is emphasized in great detail; while it is not directed at the issue of transition as it applies to the post Communist era, the concept is paramount to the transitional issue as it addresses socio economic development that applies to a nations growth in any situation or region in today's global system.With the fall of the Soviet Union came a victory for an alternative ideology, not Democracy as many would have you believe, but it was a victory for Capitalism. It is unrealistic to say that the concept of Communism is inferior to that of Democracy, had it not been for wides...
