Welcome to the Blog :)

Hello all!

It is with GREAT excitement that I welcome you to my journey in International Relations! This blog is meant to be a sort of journal in which I regularly write in throughout my time in this field, detailing thoughts, concerns, and lessons learned over the course of this exciting journey. Given the complexities and endless intricacies that exist in this field, there’s always something exciting to discuss, and something valuable to learn. I hope you are as eager as I am to dive into the rabbit hole and uncover powerful things.

Note: this blog shall be semi-formal.

So, lets begin with an introduction!

My name is Oscar Martinez, and I’m currently a pre-junior at Cornell University. I’m majoring in Government, and picking up two minors in International Relations and Near Eastern Studies (although, a science, tech, and society minor is looking rather nice too). My specific interests in this field pertain mainly to International Security and Human Rights. There’s something infinitely beautiful about the defense of the inherent value of a human being that will forever set my soul on fire, and forever drag me deeper into this field.

The vision that I have thus far in entering this field is along these lines. Understanding the shift that has occurred in U.S. Foreign Policy, from the unipolar power secured in the post-WW2 Liberal World Order to the over-militarization of said foreign policy, there has been a notable trend downwards in America’s “might” internationally. We are no longer the “city built upon a hill”, where every external country looks gloriously to our shining models of democracy, governance, and economics; wistfully wishing for the day to somewhat replicate our glorious design… –wistfully ignorant western perspective rant continues in an alluring blur-

not. If you couldn’t tell… That was sarcasm. I was kidding, Yalies.

Look, point is, the United States no longer stands as it once did on the global stage. With this notable trend downwards in America’s exceptionalism abroad, I view the US entering the 21st century disadvantaged. From the perspective of other nations, some may look to that and say; rightfully so. We herald the defense and promotion of human rights abroad, yet have contributed to egregious violations of human rights in numerous countries throughout our history. We’ve played a significant hand in the destabilization of the Middle East, and the continuous colonization & degradation of Latin America. Within our own borders, we still struggle to guarantee these fundamental rights, enshrined in our constitution, to all Americans. We’ve done a phenomenal job of creating this idea of a nation dedicated to the defense of civil liberties, but we’ve also done a less-than exceptional job in its execution.

Yet, I firmly believe in the greatness that we’ve yet to tap into. I still believe in our founding principles, and in fighting for an America that brings us closer to them. I believe in the power of our virtues (perhaps with some modernizing), and tapping into the greatness that exists within our diversity as a nation to bring us truly as our motto aspires us to be; E Pluribus Unum.

With these ideas, I am excited to enter the world of government, namely Foreign Policy. Understanding that there is no one route to enter this world, I am eager to enter this jungle and chart my own path. As of now, like the millions out there, I’m just a kid with ideas of a future brighter than the world we’ve inherited, writing on a blog to a hopefully not, but most likely empty audience. A kid who, at the very least, knows the power that comes with ideas fueled by hope, and hope backed by the will to act.

Thank you for stopping by, and I look forward to having you on this journey with me.