Jackson & Owens

Chapter 2: The Evolution of International Society

Reader's Guide

• International Society: Examines the concept of international society from human political organization to how states interact.

• Key Features: Independence and interconnectedness of political communities, typically states.

Origins and Definitions

Understanding 'International Society'

• Definition: Refers to interactions between politically organized groups occupying distinct territories, exercising independence.

• Core Problem: International relations arise from territorial divisions between societies.

• Historical Context: The evolution of international society reflects political coexistence across different eras.

Key Concepts

• Coexistence: Doctrine of live and let live among states.

• State Sovereignty: Political independence from other states.

• Suzerain State/Empire: Dominates neighboring states without takeover.

• International Law: Rules governing state conduct.

The Evolution of International Society

Hedley Bull's Contribution

• Definition of International Society: A group of states acknowledging common interests and values, bound by common rules.

• Diplomacy and International Law: Historical development of diplomatic practices and laws that formalize state interactions.

Historical Contexts

Ancient Greece and Renaissance Italy

• Ancient Greece: City-states sharing culture without overarching political authority;

  • Relations influenced by cultural and religious factors.

• Renaissance Italy: Independent city-states inventing modern diplomatic practices.

The Development of European International Society

• Medieval Period: Dominated by the Catholic Church and local feudal loyalties, fragmented political loyalties.

• Emergence of Sovereignty: Transition to modern states influenced by the Reformation and Renaissance.

• The Peace of Westphalia (1648): Foundation of modern international society, outlining key principles of sovereignty and non-intervention.

Modern International Society

• Globalization: Spread of international society beyond Europe through imperialism.

• Post-Colonial International Society: Rise of sovereign states from the Global South and their induction into international society post-WWII.

  • Self-Determination: Right for communities to become sovereign states, emphasized in the 1960 UN Declaration.

Problems of Global International Society

Core Values and Norms

• Framework: International peace, state sovereignty, self-determination as values ingrained in the UN Charter.

• Cultural Conflicts: Issues arise due to lack of universal culture to support global governance or common system.

• Inequalities: Substantive disparities exist between states, especially between the Global North and South.

Challenges in Maintaining International Society

• Regional Diversity: The complex reality of contemporary international relations across different cultures and regions leads to differing norms.

• Security Dilemmas: The prevalent internal security threats in states complicate traditional notions of sovereignty and intervention.

• Failed States: Difficulty in applying norms to states failing due to internal conflicts.

• Evolving Sovereignty: Shift from state sovereignty towards global societal norms, posing questions about the future of traditional state power.

Conclusion

• Contemporary Issues: International society grounded in state sovereignty faces challenges maintaining unity amidst diversity.

• Future Outlook: Continued debates regarding the viability of state sovereignty in light of global changes and power dynamics.