UNIT IV.

THE GLOBAL INTERSTATE SYSTEM

Overview
This unit will examine the effects of Globalization on Governments, the challenges that
globalization has brought on Governments, and the institutions that govern International Relations.
As such, Internationalism and Globalism will be expounded to give us an idea of how the states
interact with other nations to achieve a common goal. Thus, identifying the effects of this
international relations between and among states to the growth of Globalization.

Learning Objectives
At the end of the unit, I am able to:
1. explain the effects of globalization on governments;
2. identify the institutions that govern international relations; and
3. differentiate internationalism from globalism.

Lesson Proper
EFFECTS OF GLOBALIZATION ON GOVERNMENT

As globalization became the most heated topic among scholars, some would suggest that the
state was being displaced as the Primary Vehicle through which political communities would
organize themselves in the century to come. Although, the early years of the 21 st century have
shown us that globalization has not displaced the state due to recognized sovereignty of the state to
set economic policies for a country that is honored across the world. The treaty of Westphalia of
1648 established the notion of the nation-state and the idea of state sovereignty which creates an
atmosphere that states have sovereignty and government control over its own affairs. However,
Globalization has dispersed political and economic power beyond the state. Global Norms,
Economic Policies, and competitive benefits have forced each state to participate in International
relations with the purpose of establishing legitimacy, respectability, economic growth, and peace
and order (Schattle, 2014).
Besides, the increasing power of other actors other than the nation-states such as
Multinational companies, Non-Governmental Agencies, and regional organizations and alliances
have posed challenges on the Government of a state.
There have been several challenges to the government particularly with state autonomy.
These challenges can be divided into four. Traditional challenges, challenges from national or
identity movements, global economics, and global social movements.
Traditional Challenges
 External Intervention by other countries: this is a case wherein Powerful Nations intervene
with the issues and affairs of other nations. An example of this event is the intervention of
Russia in the affairs of people in Crimea who want to be part of Russia even if they are part
of Ukraine.
 Internal Political challenges: Challenges that come from the state’s own internal
nonconformists.
  Regional Organization challenging state autonomy: Challenges coming from different
International Organizations such as the EU’s response to the Issue of Extra-Judicial Killing
in the Philippines war on drug.
Challenges from National/Identity Movements
 Different people with different identities and beliefs who live in different states may
challenge the government to recognize their unique Ideologies and Identity all over that
state. Thus, a nation’s cultural identity and a state’s definite identity is being challenged by
these movements.
o Example: Al-Qaeda and ISIS movement were based on the fundamentalist
version of Islam.

Global Economics
 Due to the worldwide economy's increasing importance to the local economy, it demands
the states to conform to the rules of free-market capitalism. This scenario was called by
Journalist Thomas Friedman as "Golden StraightJacket," wherein States are forced into
policies that suit the preferences of investment houses and corporate executives who
transfer Capital and resources into countries favored as adaptable to the demands of
international business. However, all of these resources and Capital will be withdrawn even
more rapidly from countries deemed uncompetitive or don't conform to the established
economic policies.
o Example: Governments have to comply with Global or regional agreements (e.g.
WTFO, NAFTA, EU, and ASEAN
o Economic Crises can force the government to subscribe to the terms of the
global financial market in order to recover economic stability.
Global Social Movements
 Ø These are movements of people that are spontaneous or that emerge through large
grassroots organizations. They usually operate across the world and can be seen in different
nations. Thus, the states cannot have absolute control over them.
o Example: Human Rights movement, Environmental Movement, Women rights
movement, International organization, non-governmental organizations, and
even the global media.
In General:
 Globalization triggers competition or conflict among countries on matters such as
economic, policy, political systems, and etc.
 Governments are now dealing with many stakeholders such as civil society, markets,
international organization, and sub national political authorities.
 Citizen, Civil Society organization, and corporations are now seeking opportunities
beyond the borders of their home country.
 In conclusion, the effects of Globalization on government cannot be precisely stated as
beneficial or disadvantageous due to its varying effect.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

International relations can be defined as political activities and other kinds and aspects of
interactions among states, inter-governmental organization, non-government organizations, and
Multinational corporations.

Institutions that Govern International Relations

Peace Treaties and Military Alliances

 United Nations (UN): it was founded in 1995, and it has 193 member states with the
republic of South Sudan as its newest member. The UN has four functions, which include
military, economic, environmental issues, and human protection. However, the ultimate
 goal of the UN is to maintain peace and order. The UN usually provides a forum wherein
countries gather to discuss different issues and concerns. Likewise, the UN promotes
and protects human rights through various organizations and mechanisms.
 North Atlantic Treaty Organizations (NATO): is a defensive treaty or a military alliance
among the United States, Canada, and other European Countries. This treaty was signed
in 1949, and it is based on the idea of collective security. This treaty adheres to
collective self-defense. The member countries have agreed to combine their military
power against the other nation who would be raising their arms against anyone of its
members.

1. Social and Economic Growth

 Red Cross (Red Crescent in Muslim Countries): They are organized in 1863 to help those
wounded by wars. They are an independent and neutral organization that would be sent
to areas affected by war, conflict, and disasters.
 Doctors without Borders: they are an independent, global movement providing medical
aid where it’s needed most and was founded in 1971.
 Oxford Committee for famine relief (Oxfam): it is a global movement of people who are
fighting inequality to beat poverty. It was formed in 1942 by a group of independent
non-governmental organizations. They are also concerned with social inequalities that
make and keep people.
 Save the Children: It is an organization that helps children across the world. It gives
children a healthy start of life, the opportunity to learn, and protection from harm. It
was founded in 1919 by Eglantyne Jebb and her sister Dorothy Buxton to alleviate
hunger and starvation of children in Germany during World War 1.
 Amnesty International: Amnesty International was founded in 1961 by Peter Benenson
and it is a global movement that campaigns for the human rights of everyone. The
original intention of this movement was to appeal in Britain with aim of acquiring
amnesty for prisoners of conscience all over the world who have been arrested for their
convictions, ethnic group, or of their religious belief but provided that they haven’t used
force or resort to violence.
Global Economy
 World Trade Organization (WTO): As discussed in the previous lessons, its primary goal
is to foster free trade wherein taxes and tariffs on foreign goods and commodities are
eliminated or reduced. They provide a forum for governments to negotiate trade
agreements and to settle trade disputes.
 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA): It is an economic treaty between the
US. Canada, and Mexico. It was signed to eliminate barriers to trade, lessen trading cost,
increase business investment, and to help North America to be globally competitive.
How Can We Contribute to the International Relations?
 Awareness of Current Events
 Practicing our rights to suffrage
 Supporting Humanitarian Causes
 Being a responsible citizen who knows their duties and responsibilities in society
How can International Relations Contribute to us?
 It helps us by addressing different issues related to making our lives better:
o Human Rights
o Environment protection
o Reduction of poverty
o Health care
o Peace and Security

INTERNATIONALISM AND GLOBALISM

Internationalism
Internationalism can be defined as the principle of cooperation among nations, for the
promotion of their common good (Dictionary.com, 2020). Moreover, Internationalism can be
defined as the idea that cooperation among countries is beneficial for everyone. In most cases,
nations adhere to this doctrine to cooperate economically and avoid conflict. According to Halliday
(1998), Internationalism is the idea that we both are and should be part of a broader community
than that of the nation or the state. This means that we should be part of a larger community that
helps to build each other economy and maintain peace and order. According to Fred Halliday, there
are three concepts of Internationalism: hegemonic, revolutionary and liberal.
 Hegemonic internationalism: The belief that the world is being integrated is based on
unequal terms with the dominance of one nation or nation-state over others. This means
that a particular country has exerted a dominating influence over other groups or societies.
This case can be seen through the colonization of Britain over the other 70 nation-states for
200 years.
 Revolutionary Internationalism: It is the belief that conflicts within societies ascend due
to international factors and alliances. This scenario can be seen when
 Liberal Internationalism: It is the belief that certain goals such as peace and prosperity
can be attained through cooperation and collaboration between and among countries. For
example, the Humanitarian efforts by nation-states and non-governmental organizations
(NGOs) to improve the welfare of people in poorer countries.
Globalism
Globalism is a national policy of treating the whole world as a proper sphere for political
influence (Merriam-Webster, 2020). This is almost similar to the definition given by the Cambridge
dictionary wherein Globalism is the idea that events in one nation cannot be separated from those
in another and that economic and foreign policy should be planned in an international way.
Likewise, others would define globalism as a broad ideological commitment in favor of the process
of globalization that embraces a variety of interlinked economic, communicational, environmental,
and political phenomena (Encyclopedia.com, 2020). In the view of Nye (2002), Globalism seeks to
describe and explain nothing more than a world which is characterized by networks of connections
that span multi-continental distances. It attempts to understand all the interconnections of the
modern world — and to highlight patterns that underlie (and explain) them. American Political
Scientist, Joseph Nye, has identified four dimensions of Globalism: Economic, Military,
Environmental, Social and Cultural.
 Economic Globalism: It involves long-distance flows of goods, services and capital and the
information and perceptions that accompany market exchange.
 Environmental globalism: It refers to the long-distance transport of materials in the
atmosphere or oceans or of biological substances such as pathogens or genetic materials
that affect human health and well-being
 Military Globalism: It refers to long-distance networks in which force, and the threat or
promise of force, are deployed
 Social and Cultural globalism: It involves movements of ideas, information, images and
people, who of course carry ideas and information with them.

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