But I tell you, it is quite interesting once I start reading about it.
For instance, what ignorant soul like myself would have thought that environmentalists, human rights activists and labour union leaders would be against the WTO's proposition of free trade? Their argument consists around the same principle, that allowing developing countries to export their goods into advanced nations would be detrimental in some way or form. Be it an increased rate of deforestation, the tolerance of poor labour, health & safety standards, and stunted economic growth for advanced nations who have better human rights records, but consequently higher production costs.
That, I would say is understandable, but I don't feel it is justifiable for all this to cloud over the notion and principles behind free trade. Such activists need to look at the bigger picture - sorry to stoop so low but if we kept hugging those trees, we'd all be out of a job. How can countries like Peru and Indonesia work themselves out of poverty and low living standards if they are unable to trade to places which want their goods? Whilst they should definitely strive towards more stringent labour and health/safety standards, this is more of a future objective rather than an immediate one, which is of course, economic growth to achieve all other things.
Perhaps if I had taken my other academic interest at school (Geography) I would have sided with the other guys, but the capitalist business mentality has long took a stranglehold over my reasoning and I don't believe its a bad thing. It would be fantastic to work in the WTO though, an international organisation promoting global trade and diplomatic relations. (which unfortunately, but interestingly don't seem to go together too well) At least with some exposure to such issues in the Home Office, I can be one step ahead with these possible aspirations?
I find the variety of work in my course to be a great advantage of studying business. You see mathmaticians calculating formulae, (bless them) sport scientists writing dissertations on muscles and ligaments, and art students...er, lord knows what they do.
Not to blow my own horn, but lets do that for a while.
For business, you will be studying the theory behind international protectionist instruments, deriving the fair value of bonds the next, and then working out how the self fulfilling prophecy inhibits the true potential of invidivuals at work.
I am glad to have chosen this course - not many other subjects would give you such a wide breadth of choice, which gives me many options. As for the people on this course - they are all characters, you can't beat it. Tiring sometimes, but entertaining always. What other group of individuals would glamourise their very existence by creating their own awards ceremony to honour themselves? Yes, the BBAs (Bachelor of Business Admin, or Brilliant but Arrogant if you believe some) are perhaps the most loathed/envied batch of students in Bath.
