IR GQ1 PDF

EMERGENCE OF STATES The state and the state system are territory-based social organizations that exist to establish, maintain, and defend basic social conditions and values such as security, freedom, order, justice, and welfare. Many states uphold these conditions and values, but some fail to meet e...

EMERGENCE OF STATES The state and the state system are territory-based social organizations that exist to establish, maintain, and defend basic social conditions and values such as security, freedom, order, justice, and welfare. Many states uphold these conditions and values, but some fail to meet even minimal standards. The state system has been criticized for tolerating unfavorable socio-economic conditions and has been condemned for producing those conditions. There are traditional theorists who view the state system in positive terms and radical theorists who view it in negative terms. The state system is a historical invention and is not necessary to human existence. In the past, people have organized their political lives in different ways throughout history, including bands, tribes, chiefdoms, and empires. It is possible that a form of global political organization better than states and the state system will eventually be adopted. The state system has been a central institution of world politics for a long time and remains so, but fundamental changes are difficult to predict in the short to medium run. Sovereign states as we know them today began to be instituted in Western Europe in the sixteenth century and have since structured the political lives of people around the world. The era of the sovereign state coincides with the modern age of expanding power, prosperity, knowledge, science, technology, literacy, urbanization, citizenship, freedom, equality, and rights. The state system and modernity are historically coexistent, and the state system has been a central feature of modernity. The state system spread with the spread of modernity and eventually covered the entire globe. - The Western state system expanded until the late nineteenth century and became a regional state system after the middle of the twentieth century. The arrival of modernity in European overseas colonies was not beneficial for all and was connected to hierarchy, dominance, and underdevelopment. The historical origin of international relations can be traced back to when people began to settle down on the land and form separate territory-based political communities. The first relatively clear historical manifestation of a state system can be found in the Middle East in the third and second centuries BCE where they had multiple weak states and were separated from each other. The first state system in Western history was that of ancient Greece, which consisted of city-states governed directly by citizens. The ancient Greek state system was eventually destroyed by more powerful neighboring empires, and the Greeks became subjects of the Roman Empire. The medieval era in Western Europe was also characterized by overlapping territories, with no clearly defined independent states. In medieval Europe, authority was dispersed among various rulers, including clergy, kings, barons, and local communities. The split between secular and religious rulers in the eleventh century helped pave the way for the emergence of sovereign states. The conflict between the church and the emperor strengthened the state system and ensured that nation-states would be competitors. European rulers in the early modern era liberated themselves from religious-political authority and subordinated barons and feudal leaders. Power and authority became concentrated in the king and his government, marking the advent of the modern era. The rise of the modern state led to the king's monopoly in international rivalries and wars. Thus, war became a key institution for resolving conflicts between sovereign states and enforcing international law. The construction of independent territorial states with extensive administrative institutions was a major aspect of the political change from medieval to modern times. - The modern international system is characterized by the consolidation and centralization of territory under a sovereign government. The Peace of Westphalia in 1648 marked the end of the Thirty Years War and the beginning of the modern international system. During this time, states in Europe were seen as the only legitimate political systems, based on their own territories and independent governments. Non-European political systems were not part of the state system and were often subordinated to European imperial rule. The state system aimed to maintain a balance of power among member states to prevent any one state from becoming dominant. The European state system has resisted the tendency of strong powers to establish empires over weaker powers. - The traditional view that the modern state system emerged from the Peace of Westphalia has been questioned by revisionist scholars because of the inequalities produced by the treaty. Revisionists also argue that there is no solid historical evidence to support the claim that the state system emerged from Westphalia. The development of the European state system was more gradual than implied by the story centered on 1648. Europeans created vast overseas empires and a world economy, dominating most political communities outside of Europe. The Western states were able to impose European sovereignty and control on almost everyone else, shaping the modern international system. The rise of China, resurgence of Russia, and emergence of India and Brazil may be changing the global ascendancy and supremacy of the West. The globalization of the state system occurred through the transplantation of Western states to the Americas and the incorporation of non-Western states. Non-Western countries that escaped colonization still had to accept the rules of the Western state system. The Ottoman Empire, Japan, and China were forced to accept Western rules during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. International relations in its present form were created during the 'long nineteenth century' and the state system expanded dramatically after the Second World War through anti-colonialism. European decolonization in the developing world tripled the membership of the UN and led to the independence of most colonies in Asia and Africa. - In 1945, only a small percentage of independent states were represented in the state system, but by 1995, almost 100% were represented. The spread of European political and economic control led to the global expansion of the state system in the second half of the 20th century. The dissolution of the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, and Czechoslovakia marked the final stage of the globalization of the state system. UN membership reached almost 200 states by the end of the 20th century. The state system is now a global institution that affects everyone on Earth. The diversity of states in terms of culture, religion, language, ideology, etc. poses a fundamental challenge for IR scholars. There are ongoing debates about the proper scope of IR, ranging from exclusive focus on states to including everything related to human relations across the world. The state system remains at the center of academic analysis and discussion in IR. The state can be understood as a government and as a country, with internal and external aspects. The internal aspect focuses on state-society relations and domestic policies. The external aspect focuses on interstate relations and foreign policies. The Modern State System Shapes Global Events The influence of the modern state system on global events can be observed through various mechanisms: 1. Power Dynamics among States: The state system establishes hierarchies and power structures among nations. Powerful states exercise more influence over decisions affecting regions or even the entire world. 2. International Organizations: Institutions like the United Nations (UN), World Trade Organization (WTO), or International Monetary Fund (IMF) mediate disputes between states and set standards for behavior. They play a significant role in regulating diplomatic relations. 3. Sovereignty: State sovereignty determines their ability to act independently within their own borders without interference from other countries or actors. Sovereign states have control over domestic policy-making processes but must also comply with international laws. The Future of the State System in a Globalized World The state system faces both challenges and opportunities in a globalized world: 1. Technological Advancements and Communication: The advancement of technology and communication has facilitated globalization, enabling states to interact more closely. However, it also poses challenges in terms of cyber-security, privacy concerns, and information warfare. 2. Supranational Governance: The concept of supranational governance, exemplified by entities like the European Union (EU), challenges traditional notions of state sovereignty. This trend raises questions about the future role of nation-states in a world where decision-making is increasingly shared among multiple actors. 3. Rise of Non-State Actors: Non-state actors such as multinational corporations, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and transnational terrorist groups exert significant influence on global affairs. Their rise poses challenges for state-centric governance structures. Role of the State in Contributing to Globalization The state plays a crucial role in the process of globalization: 1. Promoting Economic Integration and Free Trade: States negotiate trade agreements that promote economic integration by reducing barriers to commerce. Institutions like the World Trade Organization help regulate international trade. 2. Migration and Cultural Exchange Policies: States shape migration policies that influence cultural exchange between nations. Immigration laws determine who can enter or leave a country, impacting demographic shifts and cultural diversity. 3. Tackling Global Challenges: States address global issues such as climate change or public health through international agreements. Cooperation between states is essential for effective solutions that transcend national boundaries.