Continuing Relevance of the State in Global Politics

Student's Name

Name of the University

Introduction

This essay attempts to examine the relevance of the state, particularly in international

relations. However, several factors and actors can impact dynamic and favorable socio-economic

relations between Nations, and each element has a vital role in the synergy. Various governments

have factors that are empowered to act on their behalf, characterized as "agents of the State."

Society is governed by social norms and values, which set how people are expected to

behave. Nations observe different cultures and beliefs, which will significantly explain how

human beings are expected to behave and specifies actions that are viewed as morally right or

wrong.

This paper will analyze data sourced from several schools of thought, critically examine

definite points gotten from observing and determining the concepts of the sovereignty of a

Nation, the interdependence & relations between Nations, and if global politics can usurp the

relevance of the state in international relations.

Theories of Neoliberalism and Neorealism

The theories of neoliberalism and neorealism are two significant precepts of the state's

relevance in global politics. Proponents of neoliberalism opine that the government is the

primary factor in the international arena but affirms that other non-state factors such as agents,

governmental organizations, and transnational organizations play a critical role. This means that

the state and other non-state factors can determine or influence foreign policies. However,

proponents of neorealism insist that the state is the only significant factor in the international
arena as it is sovereignty, and only it can genuinely guarantee domestic security (Moravcsik,

2002).

Carr (1993) stated that every state aspires for power as it believes it gives it more

relevance in international politics. He also thought that global politics was murky as no defined

or coordinated system could be utilized to provide checks and balances. According to Carr

(1993), 'harmony amongst nations might just be a strategic ploy to dominate other nations.' This

is a logical argument as nations' activities have shown that world peace is a myth in a world

where all countries are equal. We don't live in an equal world, and States will need to be on

guard, not just to guard their territories but also to safeguard their international political

relevance. There are several divergent views on global politics, such as every state has the right

to adhere to its laws, without recourse to conflicting statutes in other nations (referred to as

nationalistic universalism) or that laws in other countries will ultimately be a point of reference if

the murky waters of international politics are to be successfully navigated (Mongethau, 1948).

The relevance of the Italian state in international relations

The Italian government plays a significant role in international relations. It can also have

taken defined steps in curtailing its citizens' excesses, often without recourse to the freedom of

expressions in countries within the European Union (Kiiver, 2011). The Italian government

frequently clamps down hate speech and has restricted access to media and direct contravention

information. The state plays a crucial role in regulating its domestic businesses. The government

of the state must permit an international organization before it can initiate operations. The Italian

government has displayed its sovereignty in the firm manner with which its laws are enforced
within its territories (Diez, 2005). The country plays a vital part in promoting the ideals of world

peace and preventing the world from descending into chaos and unrest.

The relevance of the Italian state in redressing the problem of Global warming

The Italian government has ramped up efforts to implement and enforce the "Kyoto

Protocol" capable of redressing global warming. This Kyoto Protocol was drafted by states with

the primary objective of safeguarding the environment. The Kyoto Protocol seeks to mitigate

global warming on the climate and environment by cutting down pollution and reducing the

greenhouse effect (Norton, 1995).

However, no nation will surrender its sovereignty, and attempting to usurp another’s

authority may result in anarchy (Polsby, 1975). The resulting chaos results from States aspiring

for more power and, ultimately, relevance in global politics (Diez, 2005).

In global politics, there is always mistrust among the players as everyone has individual

interests to protect. According to Kiiver (2011), it is expedient to note international politicking is

unsustainable between uncooperative States.

As stated by Morgenthau (1948), 'The globalization and economic integration activities

happening across Nations, with a definite impact on economies of these nations has opened

world leaders to the possibility of a borderless world.' The years, according to García (2015),

leading to the Global Financial Crisis have witnessed a rapidly changing financial landscape with

continuously emerging innovative financial practices and instruments. While financial

innovations can improve the efficiency of capital allocation, they also pose challenges to
economists, regulators, and market participants in assessing their soundness and their impact on

overall financial stability.

The state plays a crucial role in regulating its domestic businesses. The government of the

country must permit an international organization before it can initiate operations. For the case

study, the researcher will explore the impact of the state's policy on global entrepreneurship in

Italy.

This interdependence does not apply to all States as some States are cut off from the

world's trade economics and can only partake in illegal buying and selling of commodities.

However, it does not mean those nations who don't make open trades are irrelevant in global

politics. States such as Cuba, North Korea, and Iran have withdrawn from fully integrating with

economies around the world as they may have barred by other nations or believe the economy is

incapable of dealing with external forces, but this doesn't make them weak in the committee of

nations.

The five nations with permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council often

appear to be at loggerheads over matters brought to the Council. According to Morgenthau

(1948), 'nations that clamor for power must seek for the support of other nations if it is to

succeed.' These nations also routinely overturn decisions agreed by the Security Council once

they are perceived to be inimical to their interests. The failure to collectively agree has made it

impossible to impose sanctions on erring nations. Studies have shown that nations jealously

guard its relevance even with the global economic reintegration practices.
The relevance of the Italian state in globalization

According to Diez (2005), governmental organizations can either be international non-

governmental organizations or international intergovernmental organizations. Individuals create

international non-governmental organizations, but international intergovernmental organizations

can only be made by states (Kiiver, 2011). Organizations such as the United Nations and the

European Union may appear to be independent power brokers globally, but states wholly operate

them in reality.

Twenty-seven countries make up the European Union, and these countries practice an

internal market using a single currency called the euro. This operation makes trade and

movement within the member states seamless for its citizens. One of the aims of forming the

European Union was to engender peace and cooperation between member states, mainly to

prevent the situation that caused the build-up to the Second World War.

The structure of the European Union went through several phases in its formative years.

It began with the economic and political unification of six countries, Belgium, France, Germany,

Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands (Norton, 1995). This unification was done by the

European Coal and Steel Community in 1950, primarily to secure the peace agreement the

countries had following the end of the Second World War and prevent the possible reoccurrence

of another devastating war. The decision by governments to come together and foster economic

growth strengthens the economies of the member states. The free trade ensured that goods were

available everywhere at meager costs as the governments were not charging customs. This was a

period of economic growth for the member States, and in 1973, Denmark, Ireland, and the

United Kingdom joined the European Union.

 It is paramount that there is capital to stimulate economic development through different

sectors of the economy such as agriculture, real estate, education, etc. because it is apparent that

the developmental drive reduces if there is inadequate capital (Moravcsik, 2002). The EU's

regional policy in developing infrastructures and creating jobs in more impoverished areas and

its intensified efforts in improving the economies and environment by enacting laws that filed

polluters heavily lured Greece into becoming a member in 1981. Spain and Portugal follow

thereafter. The countries of Austria, Finland, and Sweden joined the European Union in 1995

(Barrett, 2008).

Protecting the nation's sovereignty is imperative for the state, and several governments

invest in necessary military hardware to guard their territories. However, security experts have

attempted to downplay the relevance of military technology in securing a nation. Carr (1993)

puts it succinctly as he said that countries in Europe have been at war with themselves more than

any other nation. Coming together to form the European Union can not prevent fights if member

states feel unequal in its laws and reforms. Kiiver (2011) agrees with this assertion as he stated

that it might be the need for control and dominance that will prove to be the spark that may

ignite, rather than unify, the world.

According to Moravcsik (2002), states use all at their disposal to further their interests.

They will form an alliance with nations with similar interests, even if they have differing

ideologies. Barrett (2008) agrees with this opinion as he opined that man is more likely to make

decisions that will benefit him directly before taking any action that will help others.

The state is not just like an individual with the same innate desire to control his resources

and environment, but it also desires to be sovereign. Barrett (2008) implied that nations'
sovereignty is protected, and no State will give up its sovereignty or relevance in exchange for

the mirage of universalism.

There are several schools of thought, each with a diverging view, and none can be ignored

as it impacts the relevance of the state in international relations. All the factors, such as

interdependence and cooperation between governments, favorable trades, and other equally

crucial activities of the 'Agents of State,' are vital to engendering the state's relevance in global

politics.

Globalization practices can not erode the relevance of the role the state plays in the

international arena. The interdependence of nations worldwide has broadened the scope and

impact of the relevance of individual countries. It has also improved interaction between

governments as economic activities can be carried out anywhere, regardless of geographical

location.

Member States of unions react strongly to the matters that concern them individually

before they partake in issues that affect everyone collectively. There is always the underlying

desire to put national interests above all others. However, no nation will surrender its

sovereignty, and attempting to usurp another’s authority may result in anarchy. The resulting

chaos results from States aspiring for more power and, ultimately, relevance in global politics.

In global politics, there is always mistrust among the players as everyone has individual

interests to protect. It is expedient to note international politicking is unsustainable between

uncooperative States. States that are not affected by terrorism or have no national interest usually

act indifferent when such security problems are raised as 'harmony amongst nations might just be

a strategic ploy to dominate other nations.'

 The state is an essential factor that can impact on international relations. It controls other

agents, such as governmental organizations. Non-state factors may be instrumental in

formulating policies that influence international relations, but these actors are irrelevant

compared to the state's status in global politics. Past wars, such as the Franco-German War and

the Cold War, have occurred as a direct broken alliance and dishonesty between states' powers.

Leonard (2005) opine that these wars were fought to prevent the rise of any one nation. This is a

logical argument as governments' activities have shown that world peace is a myth in a world

where all countries are equal. We don't live in an equal world, and States will need to be on

guard, not just to guard their territories but also to safeguard their relevance in international

politics.

Bibliography

Barrett, Gavin (2008): "The king is dead, long live the king": the recasting by the Treaty of

Lisbon of the provisions of the Constitutional Treaty concerning national

parliaments, In: European Law Review,2008.vol.33.no.1,pp. 66-84. Olda

Carr, E.H. (1993). The Twenty Years of Crisis, 2nd Edition. Basingstoke: Palgrave McMillan.

Diez, T. (2005). Constructing the Self and Changing Others: Reconsidering ’Normative Power

Europe’. Millennium Journal of International Studies 33(3), pp. 613-636.

García, M. (2015). The European Union and Latin America: ’Transformative Power Europe’

versus the realities of economic interests. Cambridge Review of International Affairs

28(4).
Kiiver, Philipp (2011): The conduct of subsidiarity checks of EU legislative proposals by

national parliaments: analysis, observations and practical, In: ERA Forum, 2011,

Vol. 12, No 4DOI: 10.1007/s12027-011-0234-8

Moravcsik, Andrew (2002): In Defence of the Democratic Deficit, In: Journal of Common

Market Studies, Vol. 20 (4), pp. 603-624. DOI:10.1111/1468-5965.00390

Morgenthau, H.J. (1948). Politics among Nations: The Struggle for Power and Peace.New York:

Alfred A Knopf

Norton, Philip (ed.) (1995): National Parliaments and the European Union, In: Special Issue of

The Journal of Legislative Studies, Vol. 11, 1995. No. 3 DOI:10.1111/j.1477-

7053.1999.tb00477.x

Polsby, Nelson W. (1975): Legislatures, In: F.I. Greenstein és N.W. Polsby (eds.): Handbook

of Political Science, V, Reading-Mass.: Addison-Wesley, pp. 257-319