UNIT 2- (I)

State and diffusion of authority and power

How is the state central to the idea of international relations?
Introduction
The states have been seen as ‘unitary actors’ in many standard texts on
international relations, and have a primary role to act in the nature and
interplay of these relations. The modern nation-state has been defined as a
political apparatus with supreme jurisdiction over a demarcated territorial
area, backed by a claim to a monopoly of coercive power, and enjoying
legitimacy due to a minimum level of support or loyalty from its citizens. This
concept of the state is foundational to the study of international relations
because it defines the basic units of the international system—sovereign states
—which interact with one another in the absence of a supreme authority. It
also concentrates on population, territory, autonomy, and authority.
Historical Notions of State
The historical formation and notion of the state are deeply rooted in the
transition from medieval empires to modern nation-states, a transformation
that unfolded over centuries and was marked by several key developments. Its
origins have been argued to be with the Sumerian city-state in the 3 rd
millennium B.C.E that have. The power was personal and traditionally, the
economy was dominated by agriculture, and political authority was often tied
to religious doctrine, with the papacy and the Holy Roman Empire providing a
semblance of unity. The principle of territorial political rule was not yet
supreme, and the concept of sovereignty as we understand it today did not
exist.
The modern nation-state system began to take shape with the establishment of
the European 'society of states' by the end of the seventeenth century. The
Peace Treaties of Westphalia in 1648 are often cited as a pivotal moment,
marking the beginning of the 'Westphalian model' of international law, which
emphasized the principles of sovereignty and territoriality. This model
established a world order of territorial, sovereign states with no supreme
authority, where states engaged in diplomatic relations and settled their
differences by force if necessary. It was further expanded by colonialism in
interaction with other political communities.
States in Global Context
The late twentieth century saw the emergence of a more complex global order,
with transnational networks and relations developing across various areas of
human activity. The sovereignty of the nation-state began to jostle for
recognition alongside novel forms of political power and sites of authority,
leading to a reevaluation of where political authority, action, and accountability
should reside. The state's role has evolved due to structural changes in the
world economy and society. It is no longer the sole provider of economic
infrastructure or the main source of armaments, as control over foreign trade
and the protection of national champions has diminished, as firms respond to
market demands and supply, and the costs of protectionism have risen. The
welfare state has given way to the 'competition state,' which is focused on
enhancing the competitiveness of its industries in the global market.
Governments now intervene to restructure industries and support scientific
research, while also liberalizing sectors previously protected from competition.
The key aspects of the state’s role are as follows:
1)Territoriality and Sovereignty:
The state claims exclusive authority within its borders, which is a crucial aspect
of international relations as it establishes the basis for interactions between
states. Sovereignty implies that each state has the right to rule over its territory
and determine its own rules, regulations, and policies without external
interference. The world community is now organized into over 185 sovereign
states. They possess both internal and external freedom to do what they wish
to do without the infringement of power and discrimination by other states.
This is needed to have relations on the same leveling field. National power is
the might of a state which enables the state to get things done as it would like
them to be done. Power is a complex of many tangible and intangible
elements.
2)International Law and Engagement
There has been an emphasis on international engagement as it is now a
primary need for states; they are bound by international law and must reflect
the politics, standards, and concerns of international rule-making in their
activities. This legal framework shapes the behavior of states in the
international arena. As the original and principal subjects of international law,
they occupy a special place in the legal system. The moment an entity achieves
statehood, it becomes an international legal person and acquires an
international legal personality. While states are the primary subjects of
international law, non-state actors have also acquired international legal
personality. These actors include individuals, armed groups involved in
conflicts, and international organizations like the United Nations, the European
Union, and the African Union. The international legal personality of these
entities is derived from specific instruments, such as constitutions, charters,
and treaties.
3)Global Governance and Regimes
The concept of global governance and international regimes illustrates how
states cooperate to manage global issues that cannot be resolved unilaterally.
Regimes provide a structure for governance without a central government,
allowing states to collectively address issues like arms control, resource
exploitation, and environmental protection. Herein, the state is central to the
study of international relations and likely to remain so into the foreseeable
future. The State policy is the most common object of analysis. States decide to
go to war. They erect trade barriers. They choose whether and at what level to
establish environmental standards. States enter international agreements, or
not, and choose whether to abide by their provisions. Super-national
Institutions like NATO, SEATO, and CENTO have also become a part of this
regime.
4) Connectivity and Interconnectedness
There has been an astounding increase in the interconnectedness of states
through transnational networks and global flows, which has led to a complex
web of international relations. This interconnectedness necessitates intensive
transboundary coordination and regulation, further embedding states within a
global political context. The scientific and modern developments of technology,
the Airplane, and the Internet have further broadened the means and sources
of interacting in the international field. According to McGrew, Goods, capital,
people, knowledge, communication, and weapons as well as crimes, pollutants,
and beliefs, rapidly move across traditional boundaries. Far from being a simple
international society of states, it has become a fundamentally interconnected
‘global order’, marked by intense patterns of exchanges as well as power and
hierarchy.
5) Consideration of Global factors
While the sovereignty of the state may remain intact, the autonomy of the
state—its capacity to articulate and achieve policy goals independently—is
altered by globalization. This means that states must often consider
international factors when making domestic policy decisions.
6) Importance in the discipline of IR
The states are a common unit of analysis in theories of international relations.
Many analysts focus on states and their interactions to explain observed
patterns of world politics. The state is fundamental to neorealism (Waltz 1979)
and neoliberal institutionalism (Keohane 1984). It is also key in many
constructivist and English school theories (Bull 1977). Even critical, post-
modern, or feminist theories, which have arisen in opposition to existing forms
of social power, often focus on problematizing states and state practice. Both as
objects and units of analysis, international relations is largely about states and
their interactions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the state serves as a crucial actor in the international system,
playing a key role in shaping the dynamics of global politics. From the fields of
sovereignty, international law and engagement, and global governance to
connectivity and interconnectedness, and consideration of global factors, it has
made its presence felt in influencing the interplay and nature of international
relations. Its importance is also found highlighted by studying and analyzing the
role of states in shaping the world order and addressing global challenges.
Overall, it is the fundamental unit of basis that is required for any sort of
international relation to come into being.