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TOPIC

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GLOBAL INTER- STATE SYSTEM
“ The central task of out time is to evolve new system of world order based
on principles of peace and justice.”

Richard Falk

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this topic, the students will be able to:

1. differentiate nation and state;


2. define internationalism and globalism;
3. distinguish the competing conceptions of internationalism and
4. determine the institutions that govern international relations.

ACTIVATING PRIOR LEARNING


CONTEMPORARY WORLD UNIT 1- STRUCTURES OF GLOBALIZATION

Many times you heard the terms nation and state. But maybe you are
confused with these two terms. Do they have the same meaning? The
following are key words which are related to nation and state. Identify if
these are in line with nation or state.

Race Definite territory

Clan Union of families

Tribe Natural institution

Tradition Community of persons

Character Culture

PRESENTATION OF CONTENT

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NATION AND STATE


Many people are confused when the word state is mentioned.
Some of them will relate it to a nation. Although many people think they
are the same, the words nation and state are entirely different from one
another. In terms of territory, a state is comprised of four elements:
government, territory, population, and sovereignty. If one element is
absent, it disqualifies the area from being called a state. However, a nation
can be defined as a population who shares a similar culture and ideals. A
nation is formed as a result of a common race, religion, language, territory,
history, culture or political aspirations. These elements are not essential
and are ever-changing. In terms of political and social organization, state
is a political term and refers to an area that is organized for the security of
people. It is a legal entity with human actions. On the contrary, a nation
tends to focus less on the people’s physical needs and more on
metaphorical or emotional terms.

A state has police power and individuals who disobey are


punished. A state is a political organization and it orders, coerces and
punishes. On the other hand, a nation doesn't possess strong powers.

6 A nation is backed by spiritual, emotional and moral power and it


appeals to its citizens and persuades them. It is a unity rather than a
political organization.
CONTEMPORARY WORLD UNIT 1- STRUCTURES OF GLOBALIZATION

INTERNATIONALISM AND GLOBALISM

Other terms to consider in this topic will be globalism and


internationalism.

Globalism means “networks of connections spanning multi-


continental distances, drawing them close together economically, socially,
culturally and informationally” (Das 2011:18). Looking at the definition of
the economic globalism can increase our understanding of globalism. It is
a constructive and creative dimension of globalism and visualizes global
economy as an integrated marketplace.
In its most fundamental form, it implies that cross-border flows of goods
and services, factors of production, financial assets; as well diffusion of
technology takes place in a frictionless manner.

The phenomenon of economic globalism has arguably developed


into one of the most important economic policy challenges of the 21st
century. It has become a ubiquitous force that is affecting, if not shaping
the contours of major global economic and financial trends.

On the other hand, internationalism is only in the same line as


Globalization, but to limited field. Though internationalism is also a
process among countries but it is not as wide as Globalization for
example, WTO agreements have effects of Globalization as it involves all
economic players, whereas in SAARC (South Asian Association for
Regional Cooperation), the agreement will affect internationalism as
limited to some countries.

COMPETING CONCEPTIONS OF INTERNATIONALISM


Internationalism comes in different forms, but the principle may be
divided into two broad categories: liberal internationalism and socialist
internationalism. The first major thinker of liberal internationalism was the
late 18th century German philosopher Immanuel Kant. Kant likened states
in a global system to people living together require a government to
prevent lawlessness, shouldn’t that same principle be applied to states?
Without a form of world government, he argued the international system
would be chaotic. Therefore, states, like citizens of countries, must give up
some freedoms and establish a continuously growing state consisting of
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various nations which will ultimately include the nations of the world. In
short, Kant imagined a form of global government.

German socialist philosopher Karl Marx who was also an


internationalist did not believe in nationalism. He believed that any true
CONTEMPORARY WORLD UNIT 1- STRUCTURES OF GLOBALIZATION

form of internationalism should deliberately reject nationalism, which


rooted people in domestic concerns instead of global ones.
He placed a premium on economic equality; he did not divide the
world into countries but into classes. He referred to the capitalist class or
bourgeoisie as the owners of the factories, companies, and other means of
production. In contrast the proletariat class included those who did not
own the means of production, but instead, worked for the capitalists. In
connection to this, there is a power struggle between the capitalists class
or bourgeoisie and the proletariat. Due to exploitation, at the peak of
capitalism, the proletariat will rise to have a bloody revolution.

Marx and his co-author Fried Engels, believed that in a socialist


revolution seeking to overthrow the state and alter the economy, the
proletariat “had no nation.” They opposed nationalism because they
believed it prevented the unification of the world’s workers.
Instead of identifying with other workers, nationalism could make workers
in individual countries identify with the capitalist of their countries.

THE INSTITUTIONS that GOVERN INTERNATIONAL


RELATIONS

Of growing significance in the realm of global civil society is the


wide range of organizations dealing primarily with issues that relate to the
environment, human rights, and economic development. Among the most
notable of these are INGOS, CARE International, Worldwide Fund for
Nature, Greenpeace and Amnesty International.

International Nongovernmental Organizations (INGOS)


These are international not-for-profit organizations that perform
public functions but are not established or run by nation-states but are not
established or run by nation-states. They are private, voluntary, and non-
profit and most are oriented to bringing about some sort of social and
political change.

INGOS are often grassroots organizations and therefore are much


more in touch with the needs and interests of their membership than
larger, more formal, and more bureaucratized organizations associated
with nation-states or the international community.

6 CARE International
CARE International is a global force and partner of choice within a
world-wide movement dedicated to ending poverty. It is known
everywhere for its unshakable commitment to the dignity of people.
CONTEMPORARY WORLD UNIT 1- STRUCTURES OF GLOBALIZATION

It works with the world’s poorest and least developed countries,


fragile states, where the government and institutions are unable to provide
for the basic needs, or protect the rights, of the majority of the people,
countries affected by conflict, crises or natural disasters, poor
communities in ‘middle income countries’ – countries which are
experiencing economic growth, but where inequality means that many
people are left behind, and remain trapped in extreme poverty.

World Wide Fund for Nature

WWF works with its partners worldwide to develop and


implement lasting solutions to the environmental challenges we face and
in order to achieve this mission, WWF focuses its efforts on two broad
areas:

Biodiversity to ensure that the earth's web of life - biodiversity -


stays healthy and vibrant for generations to come.

Footprint, to reduce the negative impacts of human activity. WWF


is working to ensure that the natural resources required for life - land,
water, air - are managed sustainably and equitably.

Greenpeace
Greenpeace is an independent, campaigning organization which
uses non-violent, creative confrontation to expose global environmental
problems, and to force solutions for a green and peaceful future.
Greenpeace's goal is to ensure the ability of the earth to nurture life in all
its diversity.

Amnesty International
It is a global movement of more than 7 million people who take
injustice personally. We are campaigning for a world where human rights
are enjoyed by all. It is independent of any political ideology, economic
interest or religion.

What does Amnesty do?


o It investigates and exposes the facts whenever and wherever
abuses happen.
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CONTEMPORARY WORLD UNIT 1- STRUCTURES OF GLOBALIZATION

o It lobby governments, and other powerful groups such as


companies, making sure they keep their promises and respect
international law.
o It mobilizes millions of supporters around the world to campaign
for change and to stand in defense of activists on the frontline.
o It supports people to claim their rights through education and
training.

APPLICATION

Selected students will be assigned to act as Immanuel Khant, Karl


Marx and Fried Engels. One student will be assigned as the interviewer.
The three students will be given handout about the figure they are
representing. They will be given 10 minutes to read this. In this interview
the selected figure will answer the following questions:
1. What is necessary for the development of an international order?
2. What is the role of revolution in internationalism?
3. What can you say about the functions of the institutions that govern
international relations?
4. How does internationalism somehow contradictory in achieving
sovereignty and national identity?

FEEDBACK

1. Differentiate the following terms using the Venn diagram.

Nation State

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CONTEMPORARY WORLD UNIT 1- STRUCTURES OF GLOBALIZATION

2. Identify the institutions that govern international relations. Do you think


these institutions can affect the relationship of the different states? How?

REFERENCES

 Aldama,PK.R., (2018). The Contemporary World (pp.61-77). 84-86 P.


Florentino St., Mesa Heights, Quezon City: Rex Printing Company Inc.
 Claudio, L.E., Abinales, P.N. (2018). The Contemporary World (pp. 26-37).
839 EDSA, South Triangle, Quezon City: C & E Publishing, Inc.
 https://www.worldatlas.com/articles
 http://www.preservearticles.com/
 https://ideas.repec.org/
 https://en.unesco.org/partnerships/non-governmental-organizations
 https://flexiblelearning.auckland.ac.nz
 https://www.amnesty.org

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