He Global Interstate System: Study Guide For Module No. 4
He Global Interstate System: Study Guide For Module No. 4
He Global Interstate System: Study Guide For Module No. 4
0 10-July-2020
The world is composed of many states having different forms of government. It has been one
of the major subjects of scholars of political disciplines because it is viewed as the institution that
sets policies for the country. The study of international relations is becoming more imperative since
it is an attempt to explain behavior that occurs across the boundaries of states, the broader
relationships of which such behavior is a part, and the institutions (private, state, nongovernmental,
and intergovernmental) that oversee those interactions.
This lesson will begin with a short narration of some events that occurred 400 years ago and
the challenges that most governments face amid globalization. It will also tackle the different
institutions that govern international relations in order to facilitate connections among nationstates.
MODULE CONTENT
The origins of the present-day concept of Sovereignty can be traced back to the Treaty of
Westphalia, which was a set of agreements signed in 1648 to end the thirty years’ war between the
major continental powers of Europe. The Westphalian system provided stability for the nations of
Europe, until it faced its major challenge by Napoleon Bonaparte. The latter believed in spreading
the principles of the French Revolution - liberty, equality and fraternity to the rest of Europe. Despite
the challenge of Napoleon to the Westphalian system and the eventual collapse of the Concert of
Europe after World War I, present-day international system has traces of this history.
One of the key aspects of state sovereignty is the government. It is a group of people who have the
ultimate authority to act on behalf of a state. Each state has its own right to self-determination and
that other country should not intervene in the affairs of that state unless there are extraordinary
reasons to do so. Globalization has, in a way reshaped the role and functions of nation-states as
governing bodies in their particular territories.
First, globalization is seen to impose a forced choice upon nation-states. Either they conform
to the neo-liberal ideas and free-market principles of deregulation, privatization, and free
trade or run the risk of being left behind in terms of development. Of course, nation-states, in
this contemporary age, are forced to submit themselves to the demands of globally accepted
free-market principles.
Second is the establishment of economic and political integrations. One good example is the
European Union (EU) and the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). EU has a
single currency and monetary system, parliament with legislative powers, with common
citizens’ rights to live, work, vote and run for office. The statehood of the members is not
dissolved, what has changed is only how the nation-states function, in terms of economy and
politics, as part of a whole.
The third effect of globalization is the establishment of international laws and principles. This
is observable in the establishment of the UN that operates as a forum for nation-states to air
their differences and try to resolve them.
The fourth effect is the rise of transnational activism (TNA). Such happens when activist
groups of nation-states connect with their counterparts in other states. For example, an
advocacy-based organization in the Philippines may connect itself with and get support from
other human rights groups in Europe to pressure the Philippine government to realign its
stance and actions in upholding human rights.
There are several international organizations that governments of countries around the world and
individuals participate in. In order to facilitate connections among nation-states, intergovernmental
organizations (IGOs) were established. Their aim is to foster strong economic, political, cultural,
educational, and technical intergovernmental relationships. There are also nongovernmental
organizations promoting social and economic growth. Let us look at them one by one.
Activity 1
Instruction: Write a position paper on the Philippines’ territorial and economic relations with China.
After conducting extensive research on the topic, the position paper should be easy to write.
REFERENCES
Brazalote, T., Leonardo, R. (2018) The Contemporary World. C & E Publishing, Inc., ©2019
Claudio, L., Abinales, P. (2018), The Contemporary World. C & E Publishing, Inc. Goldstein, J.L.,
Rivers
United Nations. (2011). Basic facts about the United Nations. New York, USA: United Nations
Department of Public Information. Retrieved from
http://munkiconference.weebly.com/uploads/1/5/4/2/15422056/basic-facts-about-theun.pdf on May
13, 2020