The Contemporary World

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The Global Interstate System

The Global Interstate System

At the end of this module, you are expected to:

1. Explain the effects of globalization on governments

2. Identify the institutions that govern international relations
3. Differentiate internationalism from globalism
4. Identify the roles and functions of the United Nations
5. Explain the relevance of the state amid globalization

Definition of Economic Globalization

Economic globalization is the process of increasing financial integration amongst
countries. Consequently, economic globalization leads to the development of a
"global marketplace" or "a single world market."

Economic globalization is enhanced by the accession of multinational

enterprises, which results in the rise of the profits of that "global marketplace."

Therefore, we could argue that a multinational company is a firm company that

has "headquarters" in one country but with bases, manufacturing, or assembly
plants in others.

Factors that facilitate Economic Globalization

There are factors that facilitate Globalization. Globalization, though it is
basically an economic activity, is influenced by many factors. The many factors:

1. HISTORICAL: The trade routes were made over the years so that goods from
one kingdom or country moved to another. The well-known silk route from east to
west is an example of a historical factor.

2. ECONOMY: The cost of goods and values to the end user determine the
movement of goods and value addition. The overall economics of a particular
industry or trade is an important factor in globalization.

3. RESOURCES AND MARKETS: Natural resources like minerals, coal, oil,

gas, human resources, water, etc., make an important contribution to
globalization.

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4. PRODUCTION ISSUES: Utilisation of built-up capacities of production,

sluggishness in the domestic market, and over-production makes a manufacturing
company look outward and go global. The development of overseas markets and
manufacturing plants in autos, four-wheelers, and two-wheelers is a classical
example.

5. POLITICAL: The political issues of a country make globalization channelized

as per political bosses. The regional trade understandings or agreements
determine the scope of globalization. Trading in European Union and special
agreement in the erstwhile Soviet block and SAARC are examples.

6. INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATION: Technological development in the areas

of production, product mix, and firms are helping organizations to expand their
operations. The hiring of services and procurement of sub-assemblies and
components has a strong influence on the globalization process.

7. TECHNOLOGIES: The stage of technology in a particular field gives rise to

the import or export of products or services from or to the country. European
countries like England and Germany exported their chemical, electrical, and
mechanical plants in the 50s and 60s and exported high-tech (then) goods to
underdeveloped countries. Today India is exporting computer/software-related
services to advanced counties like the UK, USA, etc.

Roles and Functions of the United Nations

Since its establishment in 1945, the United Nations has been active in extensive
areas, including peace-keeping, arms control, the North-South problem, and social
and human rights issues. Following the progress made in the East-West dialogue
and other recent changes in the international situation, it has stepped up its
activities while its roles and responsibilities are being expanded. In the area of
peace-keeping, in particular, the United Nations has played an important role in
Namibia achieving independence. - The last colony in Africa - and in the general
elections held in Nicaragua in February 1990. The peace-keeping operations of the
United Nations, traditionally geared to truce supervision activities, have expanded
into more comprehensive activities, including observation of elections, as
occasioned by its operations in Namibia. In August 1990, the U.N. Security
Council decided on comprehensive and mandatory sanctions, for the first time in
the past 22 years, against Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. At the same time,
international cooperation extended through the United Nations and its
organizations has become progressively important in dealing with global issues
such as drugs and the environment.

The Soviet Union, which had previously not been active in U.N. activities, has
shifted its position toward attaching importance to them under the Gorbachev
Administration. Similarly, the United States, under the Bush Administration, has
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proved its cooperative attitude with the U.N., indicating that it will pay up its
arrears to the U.N. In this connection, at the 44th session of the General Assembly
in 1989, the United States and the Soviet Union co-sponsored a resolution which
called for the reinforcement of the roles of the United Nations in international
peace, security, and international cooperation. This was the first joint proposal
ever made by the two countries in U.N. history.

At the same time, the United Nations still has its problems, including financial
difficulties and organizational reform in economic fields. Tackling these problems
will be very important for the U.N. in winning the confidence of the international
community in the future. Also, the new trend in the world away from
confrontation toward dialogue makes necessary a review of the systems and
functions of the United Nations.

Since joining the world body in 1956, Japan has all along positioned cooperation
with the United Nations as a major pillar of its diplomacy. It has cooperated in
U.N. activities in a wide range of areas, making the second largest financial
contributions among the member States, next only to the United States. For
instance, Japan has been actively supporting the United Nations University (UNU)
and the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), helping them set up
their head offices in Japan.

As Japan's roles in the international community increase year by year, Japan's

contribution to the United Nations is entering a new phase, as clearly seen in the
dispatching of election observers for the recent U.N. peacekeeping operations. In
September 1989, Foreign Minister Nakayama expressed at the 44th session of the
U.N. General Assembly Japan's firm commitment to meeting global challenges,
including permanent settlement of regional conflicts, advancement of arms
control, a continuation of economic prosperity, and preservation of the global
environment, through support for the United Nations, and to contributing, through
these efforts to world peace, stability and prosperity. And it was highly
appreciated by many countries.

Political Activities

(a) Namibia: In January 1989, the U.N. Security Council passed a resolution to
implement in April the resolution to establish the U.N. Transition Assistance
Group (UNTAG) and called for material and personnel support from member
countries. In November, a constitutional assembly election was held under
observation of the UNTAG. As a result, Namibia became independent in March
1990 and joined the United Nations in April.

Japan provided a $46 million special contribution to the UN-TAG and a

$13,550,000 voluntary contribution as startup costs to purchase automobiles and
other equipment. Also, Japan dispatched 27 election observers and supporting
staff. Japan's supply of personnel was highly rated by the international community

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as representing the country's initiation of its full-scale assistance in the U.N.

peacekeeping operations.

(b) Central America: Conflicts in Central America made major progress toward a
peaceful settlement thanks to an active role played by the United Nations. A
general election was held on February 25, 1990. And the Committee on
International Assistance and Verification (CIAV), which was established by the
United Nations and the Organization of-American States (OAS) in September
1989 in response to a request by Central American countries, started its activity to
ensure the dissolution and repatriation of the anti-government guerrillas "Contras."
Furthermore, the United Nations Observation Mission for Central America
(ONUCA), established as a security verification mechanism at the U.N. Security
Council in September 1989, disarmed the Contras under an agreement in May
1990 and is keeping watch on border areas.

Under these circumstances, the U.N. General Assembly held in October 1989
adopted by consensus a resolution appreciating the peace-making efforts of the
Central American countries and the United Nations and calling for the U.N.
Secretary-General to sustain the U.N. contribution to the peace efforts in the
region.

Japan sent six election observers to the United Nations Observation Mission for
the Verification of the Elections in Nicaragua (ONUVEN), in addition to financial
assistance, thereby contributing to the holding of free and fair Nicaraguan general
elections.

(c) Cambodia: The U.N. General Assembly again adopted, by an overwhelming

majority of 124 to 17 votes, a resolution initiated by ASEAN countries (Japan
cosponsored the proposal) calling for the withdrawal of foreign troops, the
establishment of an interim government, and promotion of national reconciliation
under the leadership of Prince Sihanouk. While 1989 witnessed major
developments related to the problem - the International Conference in Paris and
the withdrawal of Vietnamese troops - Vietnam failed to break the unity of the
ASEAN countries during the deliberations at the 44th session of the General
Assembly. The resolution retained the part that said there must be no return to "the
universally condemned policies and practices of a recent past," demonstrating
deep-rooted distrust and antipathy held by the international community toward the
Khmer Rouge. Five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council held a
series of private meetings in an effort to reach a comprehensive political
settlement. A breakthrough for early peace came at their 6th meeting in August
1990, when the five agreed on comprehensive basic documents on a transitional
administration which had been the critical factor in guiding Cambodia to peace.

In the peace process, the right to represent Cambodia has become a major issue at
the 45th U.N. General Assembly.

(d) The Middle East: The situation in the occupied territories, which worsened,
became a major focus of the Middle East discussions at the U.N. General
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Assembly and Security Council. The 44th session of the General Assembly in
1989 passed, by a majority vote, an "intifada" (uprising) resolution denouncing
Israel's policy on the occupied territories, an action which attested to a high degree
of concern among countries about this issue. In a related development, the
Security Council resolved again, as it did in July and August of 1989, that Israel's
expulsion of Palestinians from 'the occupied territories violated the Geneva
Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War.

Regarding the emigration of the Jews from the Soviet Union, which became a
major issue in 1990, the U.N. Security Council held a session at the request of the
Soviet Union between March through May 1990. But no resolution has been
adopted.

Also, regarding the treatment of a resolution by the Security Council on the

killings of Palestinian laborers by a retired soldier of the Israeli National Defense
Forces on May 20, 1990, differences prevailed among the parties concerned.

Another development was a proposal made to improve the PLO's status in the
United Nations and help it obtain memberships in specialized agencies. Japan,
which does not recognize the PLO as a state, takes a stand basically that such a
proposal will not favor the peace process in the Middle East.

(e) Iran-Iraq: After the cease-fire in August 1988, the U.N. Secretary-General
hosted four Iran-Iraqi Foreign Ministers meetings in 1988 and 1989, but no
significant progress has been made.

During the peace negotiations over which the U.N. Secretary-General presided,
practically no debate took place on the issue at the General Assembly and Security
Council. In February 1990, however, the Chairman of the Security Council issued
a statement in support of the peace efforts by the Secretary-General.

(f) South Africa: At its 44th session of the U.N. General Assembly in 1989, 12
resolutions related to apartheid were submitted to a vote and were adopted by an
overwhelming majority as they had been in the previous years. A resolution
seeking comprehensive sanctions, which censured the Federal Republic of
Germany (FRG) by name, was adopted over Japan's and other countries'
opposition. The General Assembly's special session on apartheid, held in
December 1989, unanimously adopted a declaration, which was both constructive
and harmonious. In his address to this session, then Parliamentary Vice Minister
Tanaka of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated Japan's strong opposition to
apartheid. He said Japan welcomed the policies of the de Klerk Government but
would continue sanctions against the country so long as no substantial
improvement was made.

(g) Western Sahara: Regarding a conflict between Morocco which claims

territorial rights over Western Sahara, and the Polisario Front, which demands
secession from Morocco, the U.N. Secretary-General has been making mediation
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efforts since August 1988. In June 1990, on the basis of a peace proposal by the
Secretary-General calling for direct talks for implementing a cease-fire and the
holding of a U.N.-supervised referendum on the fate of the area, a meeting to
ascertain the voters' register for the referendum was held. Also, a report was
submitted to the U.N. Security Council seeking the establishment of the United
Nations Observers for the Verification of Referendum on Western Sahara
(MINURSO), which would carry out the referendum as well as an approval of a
definite schedule of the peace process.

Economic Activities

(a) Special Session of the General Assembly: The "18th Session of the General
Assembly devoted to international economic cooperation, in particular, the
revitalization of economic growth and development of the developing countries"
was held in April 1990. With representatives including more than 60 prime
ministers and cabinet ministers in attendance, the session passed, a declaration
with consensus. The first special session held on economic problems in 10 years
since 1980 served to charter a direction of the North-South dialogue at the United
Nations during the 1900s.
(b) International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction: Regarding the
International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, in which Japan plays a
central role, the 44th U.N. General Assembly adopted, by consensus, a resolution
on the International Framework of Action. The resolution, cosponsored by as
many as 155 out of a total of 159 member countries declared the start of the
decade as of January 1990, provided for the establishment of a special high-level
council, a scientific and technological committee, a secretariat, and a trust fund,
etc.
(c) Drift-Net Fishing Problem: Recently, indiscriminate catching of marine
resources by large-scale drift-net fishing of cuttlefish in the Northern Pacific and
albacore in the Southern Pacific has become an international issue. At the 44th
U.N. General Assembly, draft resolutions were proposed by the United States and
Japan: the U.S. resolution called for the suspension of drift-net fishing after the
lapse of a certain period of time, and the Japanese resolution offered to take such
measures if needed on the basis of scientific evidence. Following coordination
efforts between Japan and the U.S., the General Assembly passed by consensus a
resolution recommending all members of the international community to agree to
moratoria on drift-net fishing by June 1992 with the understanding that such a
measure will not be imposed should effective conservation and management
measures be taken.

Human Rights Activities

Japan, maintaining a basic position that human rights possess a universal value for
mankind and that they form the basis of the world's peace and stability, has
actively taken part in U.N. activities related to human rights for the protection and
promotion of human rights in the world. In May 1990, Japan was re-elected as a
member of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.
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At the U.N. General Assembly in 1989, the Convention on the Rights of the Child
was adopted by consensus. At the same time, the Second Optional Protocol to the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the
death penalty, was adopted. A large number of countries, including Japan, voted
against or abstained because the protocol mandates the abolishment of capital
punishment, while there has been no international consensus on the issue.
On the other hand, changes in East-West relations have led to a marked decrease
in the deliberations on human rights issues in Eastern countries, while attention
has been drawn to developing countries. For instance, the human rights situation
in Myanmar was taken up at the U.N. General Assembly in 1989 and the U.N.
Commission on Human Rights. Heated discussions ensued over a resolution
related to human rights issues in China following the Tiananmen Square Incident.

Administrative and Financial Problems

(a)Administrative and financial reforms: The administrative and financial

reforms recommended in a report of the Group of High-level Inter-governmental
Experts, which was established under Japan's initiative, were carried out over a
period of three years, and a final report was submitted to the 44th General
Assembly in 1989. The report noted that, over the three-year period, some
progress had been made in some areas, such as the introduction of a consensus
formula in the budget deciding process and a 12.1% reduction of the U.N. staff.
At the same time, the report said little progress had been made in the
reorganization and integration of the inter-governmental structures for economic
and social operations. Now that the three-year reform programs were completed
in 1989, it is necessary for Japan to sustain its efforts toward more efficient
management of the United Nations with the aim of promoting its sound operation
and revitalization.

(b) Financial crisis: The United Nations is in chronic financial difficulties. As of

the end of 1989, the total amount of assessed contributions in arrears was
approximately $46,116,000, which accounted for nearly 40% of the U.N. general
budget. The Soviet Union, which had accumulated a large number of
contributions in arrears, has gradually changed its policy and has begun paying
off the arrears in stages. In contrast, the default by the United States continued
and accounted for about 80% of the total amount of the contributions in arrears to
the U.N.

However, partly in view of the progress made in the administrative and financial
reforms of the United Nations, the U.S. Government has since decided to pay up
its share, excepting the part which the U.S. has been refusing to pay for political
reasons. According to its budget message for fiscal 1991, the U.S. Government
budgeted the full amount of its assessed contributions to all the international
organizations it is a party to for the year 1990 and plans to pay off the outstanding
arrears to international organizations and to the U.N. peacekeeping operations
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over the next five years. When these payments are completed, the financial
position of the U.N. system will improve significantly.

Globalisation vs Internationalisation
Globalisation is a term coined to imply the economic liberalization of previously
command economies, which entails a broad re-structuring of world economic and
political systems along western European and American lines. In this sense,
globalisation is economic aid in exchange for the adoption of western political
models and is thus a form of twenty-first-century cultural imperialism.
Globalisation is the core tactic used in areas of the world, such as the Middle East
that have hitherto evaded the ubiquitous western cultural umbrella. “If the analogy
to imperialism holds, it suggests that globalisation’s powerful forces will
ultimately prove too much for at least some incumbent elites to contain and will
bring to power new political actors representing different social forces.”

Globalisation is an economic phenomenon that has discernibly political and

social connotations and is intrinsically bound to western cultural imperialism. The
dominance of the United States within western civilization is inherently
problematic because of the issues outlined above; traditional European powers
and the undeveloped world alike treat the United States with a deep sense of
suspicion, and this is a key point to remember when attempting to sift through the
considerable rhetoric on globalisation.

Internationalism, by comparison, is an ideology that is similarly geared towards

a decrease of international barriers but with the aim of the economic betterment of
the planet in mind, not the perpetuation of power and privilege in the hands of the
western dominated economies as we see at work with the forces responsible for
globalisation. Long-term international benefits are cited as more important than
short-term economic gains. Advocates of internationalism shun the idea of
globalisation as a binding cultural and economic force and see the disintegration
of national economies and cultures as a dangerous international concept.
Internationalism is inherently a left-of-center political ideology that implies a
heavy emphasis on economic cooperation. If we consider globalisation to be a
necessarily right-wing phenomenon, then we can state that, politically and
ideologically, internationalism is the polar opposite of globalisation as a creed.
Indeed, internationalism swings as far to the Left as to suggest (in some
intellectual circles) the need for a possible World Government. The reasoning is
that the disputes that occur with such regularity across borders, including human
rights abuses, are too diverse in scope to be tackled by the UN and are certainly
beyond the realm of influence of one state, such as America.

References and Supplementary Materials

Books and Journals
1. Manfred Steger, Paul Battersby, and Joseph M. Siracusa; ed.2014; The SAGE
Handbook of Globalization. Two vols. Thousand Oaks: SAGE;
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2. Chapter 2 of Textbook: “Approaches to the Study of Globalization “ by

Manfred B. Steger.
3. Manfred Steger, “Ideologies of Globalization .” 2005. Journal of Political
Ideologies 10(1):11-30

Online Supplementary Reading Materials

1.https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-globalization-definition-effects-
examples.html, "N2Growth"; The Impact of Globalization on Business; Mike
Myatt; May 2010, The Kansas State Collegia

2.https://study.com/academy/lesson/zero-population-growth-definition-
countries.html

3. https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-globalization-definition-effects-
examples.html

4. http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/globalization/7-factors-influencing-
globalization-discussed/22639

5. http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/other/bluebook/1990/1990-2-4.htm

6. http://www.essay.uk.com/free-essays/international-relations-
politics/globalisation-vs-internationalisation.php

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