Lesson 3: Global Interstate System

a. Effects of Globalization on Government

b. Institutions Governing International Relations
c. Internationalism vs. Globalism

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of this topic/chapter, you must be able to:
1. Explain the effects of globalization on governments
2. Identify the institutions that governs international relation
3. Describe the nation-state

Lesson 3: Global Interstate System

The origin of the modern nation - state is traced to the Treaty of Westphalia
which led to the notion that nation - states are autonomous. Later developments led
to the fusion of the cultural concept of a nation and the structure of the state; to the
idea of the nation - state. With globalization, the nation - state faces innumerable
challenges, leading to a significant loss of control over economic flows and
transnational organizations. A debate has emerged over whether the “ nation - state
is dead. ” Although the role of the nation - state has declined, it is still an important
political structure.
However, in the global age, the “ porosity ” of the nation - state, the increasing
global flows through it, should be a focal concern. Benedict Anderson ’ s “ imagined
community ” is an important idea in thinking about the nation - state. As a result of the
development of “ print capitalism, ” it came to be conceived of as being actively
constructed, socially and politically, by people who identify with the community that is
represented by the nation - state. This concept is extended further by examining how the
nation - state transcends its geographic boundaries in the face of rapidly developing
technology and increasing immigration flows. Emphasis is placed on the “ re - imagining ” of
the nation - state in the light of such global flows.

ATTRIBUTES of Global System

• countries or states are independent and govern themselves;
• these countries interact with each other through diplomacy;
• international organizations facilitate these interactions (i.e. UN);
• international organizations also take on lives of their own.

Nation-States
 Nation-state–relatively modern phenomenon in the human history whereby
it composed of two non-interchangeable terms: nation and state.
Nation-state–relatively modern phenomenon in the human history
whereby it composed of two non-interchangeable terms: nation and state.

Nation, according to Benedict

Anderson, is an “imagined
community” and does not go
beyond a given “official boundary”.
It is inherently limited and
sovereign. It has boundaries,
meaning not anyone can be a
Filipino. - this refers to large group
of people who share common
characteristics such as language,
traditions, and ethnicity.

State refers to a country and its government where a community of persons more or
less numerous occupying a definite territory completely free of external control and
possessing an organized government to which the great body of inhabitants render
habitual obedience.

Moreover, Interstate system is system of competing and allying states. Wherein, Treaty
of Westphalia is a set of agreements signed in 1648 to end the Thirty Years’ War between the
major continental powers of Europe. It was designed to avert wars in the future by recognizing
that the treaty signers exercise complete control over their domestic affairs and swear not to
meddle in each other’s affairs and provide stability for the nations of Europe.

PRINCIPLES of Interstate system:

Nationalism –a doctrine and/or a political movement that seeks to make the nation the
basis of a political structure especially a state. It is a sense of national
consciousness that generally exalts one’s own nation above others, and focuses
on the promotion of interests.
Internationalism- desire for greater cooperation and unity among states and people. In a more
comprehensive definition, it is a political principle that places the interests of the entire
world above those of individual nations and argues for cooperation among nations for
common good. This can be divided into two broad categories: liberal internationalism and
socialist internationalism.

A. Effects of Globalization on Government

Political Globalization
Nation-states, the primary actors in this system, engage in diplomatic relations partly
in the context of regional and global intergovernmental organizations (IGOs). Nation-states
and IGOs, consult with and are lobbied by transnational corporations and non-governmental
organizations (NGOs). NGOs in particular have distinct interactions with IGOs such as the
United Nations, where they both play both an advisory role and take on activities such as
relief, environmental protection, and protection of human rights.

Nation-States and Intergovernmental Organizations

Nation-states engage in international relations to establish trade, maintain
boundaries, enforce rules, settle disputes, manage migration, etc. Most of these tasks were
historically accomplished through negotiations among representatives of two or more
states. During the last two centuries, however, nation-states have formed large
intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) that are now responsible for many of these tasks.
To maintain the sovereignty of nation-states, IGOs operate on principles inter-
governmentalism, requiring unanimity among their members before agreements can be
finalized. Some IGOs do however incorporate elements of supranationalism, in which
majority rule may force member-states to implement IGO decisions or leave the
organization. IGOs may be regional (e.g. the EU) or global (e.g. the WTO). As the number of
IGOs has grown and their membership has expanded to include many new nation-states,
the structure and organizational characteristics of nation-states have become more similar.
This growing isomorphism implies that a normative process, affecting new nation-states, is
occurring on a global scale.

The End of the Nation State

Arguably the power of the nation-state is waning. While still the major actors
in international relations and sovereign within their own territories, countries are
increasingly divesting themselves of responsibility for their citizens’ welfare.
Transnational corporations are taking on former state responsibilities through
privatization and corporatization, profiting from providing public goods like water,
health care, agricultural products, and education. At the same time, the dominant
corporations in the global economy are using their wealth to gain power by
influencing political and social institutions. NGOs, in both the role of international
monitors and providers of relief services, have likewise taken over former state
responsibilities, and some claim that IGOs aspire to become supranational regional
or global governments with authority over states in federalist political system.