Muppidi

Muppidi says, “whatever the limited scope of their responsibility in the eyes of political subjects, political objects are different from material objects in being self-reflexive and in possessing a historically endowed sentient awareness. So looking at the ways in which subaltern actors fail to deliver on their expected responsibilities can allow us an entry into the meanings and practices productive of post colonial global orders” (283).
This idea can help us to understand subaltern actors, but it can help us to understand the international system as a whole, too. Particularly in a globalized world where there is access to so much information, this concept could be endlessly useful in understanding other countries, as well as understanding the best way for the United States to operate in the international system today. In realist theory, the idea of anarchy in the international system preaches that other nations can only be understood within the context of mistrust, and that security is the top priority of each nation. This concept of security is not explored passed ensuring state sovereignty. Muppidi says that how other nations interpret actions means will change how they perceive themselves and how they will act in the future. Even if each nation is acting first and foremost to maintain security, being “self-reflexive” and “possessing a historically endowed sentient awareness” are going to shape how security is perceived and how it should be maintained. Thus, it is important to understand how all actions within the international system are interpreted not only within the context of your own nation’s interest, but within every context that every other actor will perceive the same action in a different way. How different nations perceive the same action could cause a shift that changes the security needs of your own nation.
The idea of perception matters increasingly and becomes increasingly more complex in contemporary times. We have access to the news in every nation, and we can instantly see how every tiny action is viewed. Who knows why that one small occurrence will become a story that everyone in the world knows, where another occurrence will not be mentioned in one newspaper. In the “war on terror”, these perceptions are so important. The news and myths that children are raised and people hear about everyday help shape their perception of other countries, and thus alter individual and collective actions. Every word that President Bush says can be used as propaganda to rally terrorist action, and likewise events abroad shape American voter’s opinions and shift their opinions, then their votes. There is definitely no way to please all actors in the international system, but understanding the power of perception in altering behavior can help shape strategy.