Slideshow 3- Based on class slides

Introduction to Political Sociology: The Origins of the Modern International Order

• The lecture outlines the historical roots of the international order, focusing on global politics since the emergence of the Westphalian inter-state system.
• It explores the implications of the "long 19th century" and the rise of nationalism.
• The presentation also covers current issues in international relations (IR) and global politics.

First "Global" World Order

• The first international order emerged around the end of the 15th century, gaining momentum in the 17th and 18th centuries.
• This order was inherently Eurocentric, marked by the Age of Discovery, colonialism, and racism ("The Rise of the West").
• A limited form of "global" world order emerged after the Thirty Years' War (1630-1648).
• Principles of state sovereignty and non-intervention were established.
• The concept of an international society of states, based on shared rules of conduct and values (international law), developed. Hugo Grotius's The Law of War and Peace (1625) is a foundational text.

Origins of the Modern State

• Key elements contributing to the modern state system include imperialism, industrialization/capitalism/commerce, and new ideas.

Imperialism

• Colonial powers rose, exploiting resources and using slave labor.
• A narrative of "discovery" and empty land justified colonial expansion.
• Racism was often used with pseudo-scientific justifications for exploitation.

Industrial Revolution

• A radical shift from agriculture to industry occurred in Western Europe (1760-1840s).
• Key inventions like the steam engine and multi-spindle spinning frame drove textile/cloth production and the factory system.
• This led to wholesale social and economic transformations. The pre-industrial social structure was replaced with one focused on machine and factory production.

Second Industrial Revolution

• The second industrial revolution, starting in the mid-19th century, accelerated global interconnectedness.
• New energy sources (oil, electricity) and inventions (telegraph, railways) further strengthened global trade and communications.
• Global trade showed substantial growth, with a 10% annual increase (Baylis et al., 2017).

New Ideas

• "Democratic" principles emphasizing individual freedom, civil disobedience, and self-determination emerged.
• Philosophers like John Locke and Adam Smith shaped the classical liberal tradition.
• The Enlightenment's focus on reason, science over tradition, and the rational nature of humankind fundamentally changed society.

Political Revolutions

• The American and French Revolutions challenged existing power structures.
• The American Revolution stressed equality and unalienable rights in the Declaration of Independence (1776).
• The French Revolution (1789-99) emphasized popular sovereignty, transforming the subject into a citizen.

Consequences of Revolutions

• Empiric powers were viewed as impeding national self-determination.
• Nationalism and self-determination of nations increased.
• The Concert of Europe, following Napoleon's defeat, highlighted the importance of great powers.

Europe in 1815

• A detailed map of Europe in 1815 demonstrates the political entities and boundaries of the era.

Recall

• Key concepts to remember include self-determination, liberty, and the concept of national revolutions challenging empires.

Basic Principles of Nationalism

• The world is naturally divided into nations, each with unique cultural characteristics.
• Nations have the right to control their destiny and political future.
• National cultures have to be protected from outside interference.
• National elites and folk culture are important components of a nation.

Springtime of Nations

• A series of revolutionary upheavals in Europe (1848-49) occurred.
• Middle classes, workers, and students often allied in these uprisings, driven by demands for liberty and self-determination.
• The revolutions were mostly suppressed but awakened national identities powerfully shaping the future.
• This period was driven by socio-economic transformations from rapid urbanization and liberal ideals from the French Revolution.

Springtime of Nations: Short-Term Consequences

• The revolutions of 1848 were mostly unsuccessful in achieving their immediate aims.
• Power struggles and royal reneging on promises were common.
• However, the events significantly impacted the unification of Italy and Hungary, albeit with limitations.

The End of the Old World Order (1914-1918)

• The First World War led to the collapse of major empires (Austro-Hungarian, German).
• The Russian Empire saw the Bolshevik revolution (1917).
• Ottoman Turkey was replaced with a secular republic in 1922.
• The map of Europe was significantly redrawn, with many new independent nations emerging.

Europe in the Aftermath of the Great War

• The need for lasting peace led to the creation of the League of Nations (1919).
• The League, however, ultimately failed to prevent the rise of aggressive ideologies (Fascism, Nazism, Communism) and another world war.

UN as the Successor of the League

• The failure of the League of Nations spurred the creation of the United Nations after World War II.
• The Cold War's impact and superpower rivalries affected the effectiveness of the UN.
• The US took a leading role in replacement of the League

Decolonization

• The process of decolonization led to the wider adoption of Westphalian sovereignty ideals via nationalistic movements.
• Indigenous elites successfully challenged colonialism and ultimately led to the global proliferation of nation-states.
• The collapse of the Soviet Union eliminated a key competing international model.

Current Issues on the International Stage

• Globalization is eroding traditional identities.
• Several countries are suffering from collapsed or fragmenting states.
• There are major political and economic conflicts like the war in Ukraine and continuing Israeli-Palestinian conflicts.
• Existing global powers like the United States are seeing challenges from other countries

A Few Notes on the Midterm

• A midterm study guide will be posted online.
• The midterm will cover material up to and including the next week.
• The exam format will be multiple choice questions.