THE GLOBAL INTERSTATE SYSTEM

STATE

- It has traditionally been the main focus of scholars in global politics because it creates warfare and sets economic policies for a country.

- is a political unit with authority over its own affairs, and its borders are recognized by other countries.

Treaty of Westphalia (1648)

established the idea of the nation-state and state sovereignty.

globalization

- challenges the ideas of the nation-state, state sovereignty,

government control, and state policies.

- Some scholars argue that the power of the state is decreasing.

- Other actors are becoming more influential across national borders.

- has created several challenges to

governments and state autonomy.

- has reduced the exclusive power of states.

- Other actors now influence global politics, such as international organizations, multinational corporations, & NGOs.

Examples of these actors:

Multinational corporations

Global civil society organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross

International and Regional Organizations

- Institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank influence global economic policies and reforms.

Non-State Actors

- Private capital groups, banks, multinational corporations, and NGOs like Amnesty International can influence the welfare of people and global politics.

Violent Non-State Organizations

- Groups such as Al-Qaeda and Islamic State attempt to challenge governments and replace systems with their own ideological beliefs.

states

are described as "highly contingent and in flux" (Cerny, 2007), it creates the possibility for global governance to fill the gap.

Global governance

develops as a way to manage issues that individual states cannot effectively control on their own.

Modern globalization

involves vast flows of information, people, and illegal activities across national borders.

DIGITAL INFORMATION

- moves rapidly through the Internet, making it difficult for states to control the flow.

- Attempts to restrict the Internet, such as in China, have received criticism both domestically and internationally.

MASS MIGRATION

including illegal entry into countries,

creates challenges that individual states struggle to manage.

Cross-border crimes

such as drug trafficking, money laundering, and sex trafficking also strengthen the call for global governance and international cooperation.

GOVERNMENT

- is a key aspect of state sovereignty.

- it is a group of people with the ultimate authority to act on behalf of the state.

- handle decisions, conflicts, and conflict resolution within a state.

- They develop and implement policies in the interest of the people.

- Leadership in many countries, especially democratic societies, is

chosen through elections.

- face austerity and market reforms from organizations like the World

Trade Organization (WTO)

- today face several challenges such as: Traditional conflicts and external interventions, National or identity movements, Global economic pressures, and Global social movements

STATE SOVEREIGNTY

- Each state has the right to self-determination, meaning other countries should not interfere in its

affairs unless there are extraordinary reasons.

- Other states must recognize the sovereignty or the right of a state to govern its own territorial borders.

- Each state is autonomous and responsible to the people it governs.

Civil Society

- They can act as a counterweight or support to government.

Examples:

- Private economy

- Educational institutions

- Churches and hospitals

- Fraternal and non-profit organizations

Traditional challenges

involve external intervention from other countries or internal political

conflicts that threaten government stability.

Examples:

In 1990, Saddam Hussein of Iraq invaded Kuwait to control its oil fields but was later

removed by an

international coalition

- led by the United States.

- Another example is the conflict between Russia and Ukraine over Crimea, where Russia supported Crimea's move to separate from Ukraine.

Internal political conflicts

- Can also challenge governments, such as events after the Arab Spring in Egypt, the actions of the Taliban in Afghanistan, and the rebellion against Bashar al-Assad in Syria.

Regional organizations

- May also intervene, such as the involvement of the United Nations in the conflict in Sudan.

nation

- has a cultural identity.

- Different identities can exist across multiple states.

state

has defined borders.

Global economy

pressures states to follow free-market capitalism rules.

Regional agreements: NAFTA, European Union (EU), ASEAN

Neoliberal economics (since 1980s) promotes:

Free trade and removal of barriers

Privatization of services

Fiscal austerity

Example: Greece

Joined the EU (1981) → open borders, adopted the euro

Borrowed for 2004 Olympics → heavy debt

Global financial crisis (2007-2008) → economic collapse

IMF bailout → austerity measures → reduced government spending

Global economic pressures

- can limit state sovereignty and force governments to follow global market rules.

Global social movements

are transnational and can challenge state sovereignty because they occur across borders.

Human rights movements

→ challenge policies violating international standards (e.g., death penalty debate with US vs. international consensus)

Environmental movements

→ local and global activism against

government actions favoring neoliberal capital (e.g., Blockadia)

Women's rights and personal autonomy issues

→ gender equality, same-sex marriage, conflicts with fundamentalist interpretations of religion.

Global media

helps spread awareness and pressure governments.

Traditional Global System

- The modern global system was based on state sovereignty, established by the Treaty of Westphalia.

- This means each state has the authority to govern its own territory and make its own decisions.

International institutions

help address global problems that countries cannot solve alone. Eg., the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank.