THE GLOBAL INTERSTATE SYSTEM

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.

What is Global Interstate System?

The state has traditionally been the subject of most interest scholars of global politics because it is viewed
as “the institution that creates warfare and sets economic policies for a country.” Furthermore, the state is a political unit
that has authority over its own affairs. In other words, its border is recognized by other countries. It is assumed that
whoever is in charge of those borders has the right to determine exactly what is going to happen in their country. The
Treaty of Westphalia of 1648 established the notion of the nation-state and the idea of state sovereignty. Today, the
globalization of politics created an atmosphere where the ideas of the nation-state, state sovereignty, government control,
and state policies are challenged from all sides.
With globalization, some scholars suggest a decrease in the power of the state and that other actors are actually
becoming more powerful. These actors include multinational corporations and global civil society organizations, like the
Red Cross, that cross national boundaries.
Is the idea of the nation-state outdated in the contemporary world? If so, what is it that we need to think about as
“replacements”. We will look at regional alliances and worldwide organizations of states. This manifests the efforts of
countries and government in the world to cooperate and collaborate together. Next, international and regional economic
bond bodies, such as IMF and the World Bank, must also be considered as they often push for neoliberal reforms in the
world. The third kind replacements to the traditional nation-state and the idea of national autonomy comes from the non-
state actors. One of these is the private capital groups, including banks and groups of people, with money that can
determine that well-being of people in particular are. Multinational corporations and non-governmental organizations, such
as the Amnesty International, are significant organizations that put into question the strength of national autonomy and
global politics. The emergence of non-state organizations, like Al-Qaeda, ISIS, and terrorist organizations, which seek
power try to depose a government and replace the system with their own ideological belief.

Global Governance in the Twenty-First Century

There is a series of specific factors behind the emergence global governance. The first on the list must be the
declining power of nation-states. If states themselves were “highly contingent and in flux” (Cerny, 2007), it would open the
possibility of the emergence of some form of global governance.
A second factor is the vast flows of all sorts of things that run into and often right through the borders of nation-
states. This could involve the flow of digital information of all sorts through the internet. It is difficult, if not impossible, for a
nation-state to stop such flow and in any case, it is likely that such action would be politically unpopular and bring much
negative reaction to the nation-state involved in such an effort. For example, China’s periodic efforts to interfere with the
Internet have brought great condemnation both internally and externally.
Then, there is mass migration of people and their entry, often illegally, into various nation-states. If states are
unable to control this flow, then there is a need for some sort of global governance to help deal with the problem. The flow
of criminal elements, as well as their products (drugs, laundered money, those bought and sold in sex trafficking, etc.), is a
strong factor in the call for global governance (Levy & Sznaider, 2006). In these cases and others, there is a need for
some degree of order, some sort of effective authority, and at least some potential for the improvement of human life.
These are but a few of the things that can be delivered by some form of global governance.
Another set of issues that has led to calls for global governance involves horrendous events within nation-states
themselves either foment and carry out, or are unable to control (Nordstrom, 2004). For example, in Darfur, Sudan,
perhaps hundreds of thousands have been killed, millions of people displaced, and the lives of many disrupted in a
conflict that date back to early 2003. The government of Sudan and its military have implicated in the conflict between
ethnic and tribal groups and the Sudanese government has been resistant to outside interference in its internal affairs.
One could even go back to World War II and argue that the Holocaust could have been prevented, or at least mitigated,
had there been a viable form of global governance to put pressure on Nazi Germany and ultimately, to intervene in a more
material way, perhaps militarily (Bauman, 1998).
Then, there are global problems that single nation-state cannot hope to tackle on their one. One is the global
financial state crises and panic that sweep the world periodically, which nations are often to deal with their own (Strange,
1996). Indeed, some nations (e.g., the nations of Southeast Asia) have often been, and are being, victimized by such
crises. Unable to help themselves, such nations are in need of assistance from some type of global governance.
Nations states have long struggled to deal with problems like these through various interstate systems (e.g.,
alliances such as NATO), but the more recent trend is toward the development of more truly global structures and
methods of dealing with various sorts of issues and problems.

The Interstate System

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.

Effects of Globalization to Governments

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.

Institutions that Govern International Relations

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.
 Peace Treaties and Military Alliances: The UN and NATO Global politics entails relationship of countries and
different governments and non-governmental organizations, The United Nations (UN) is one of the leading
political organizations in the world where nation-states meet and deliberate. However, it remains as an
independent actor in global politics. Generally, it functions in four areas: military issues, economic issues,
environmental issues, and human protection. It is made up of close to 200 countries from around the world, 193
member states to be exact. (United Nations, 2011)
 Global Economic Associations: The WTO and NAFTA The next group is an economic association-WTO which was
created with the goal of increasing free trade. Countries, therefore, can buy and sell goods from one another
without placing takes on imports or tariffs. In addition, tariffs are used to protect businesses and companies inside
their country. Another famous economic organization is NAFTA. This is an economic treaty between the United
States, Canada, and Mexico in which the three countries trade freely without taxing each other. NAFTA is not
without critics either. Some American autoworkers protested against NAFTA as several car companies moved
their factories to Mexico in search for cheaper labor. NAFTA, like WTO, represents the challenge in America of
keeping manufacturing factories.
 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Established in 1967, now has 10 member states. Its aims are to
accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region; promote regional
progression; advance peace and sustainability; promote active and beneficial cooperation and mutual assistance
on matters of common interest in the economic, technical, cultural, administrative and scientific fields.
 European Union (EU) An IGO with 28- state members were established in 1993. Its goals are to promote peace,
its values, and well-being of its citizens; offer freedom, security and justice without internal borders; uphold
sustainable development; combat social exclusion and discrimination; promote scientific and technological
progress; enhance economic; social and territorial cohesion among member countries; respect cultural and
linguistic diversity; and establish an economic and monetary union.
 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) Another example of an international organization that was developed
out of war is the Red Cross (Red Crescent in Muslim countries). NGOs are not tied to any country. This allows
them to operate freely throughout the world. They provide emergency relief such as food, water, and medical
supplies for those whose homes or towns have been destroyed by disaster or war. They also monitor the
treatment of prisoner of wars and go to conflicts to make sure that no war crimes are taking place. In fact, the Red
Cross began as an organization to help those who were wounded during wars.