DATE: 3/22/24

GLOBAL INTERSTATE SYSTEM

The global interstate system, also known as the international system or world order, refers
to the complex network of relationships and interactions among sovereign states on a global
scale. It is characterized by the principles of state sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the
absence of a central authority to enforce rules or resolve disputes between states. The modern
global interstate system emerged following the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, which established
the foundation for the modern nation-state system. Since then, the global interstate system has
evolved in response to changing geopolitical dynamics, including the rise and fall of great
powers, the emergence of international organizations and alliances, and shifts in economic,
military, and ideological competition. The system is governed by a combination of formal
treaties, international law, diplomatic agreements, and informal norms and practices. Despite its
decentralized and often anarchic nature, the global interstate system serves as the primary
framework for managing relations between states, shaping international politics, and addressing
global challenges such as security, trade, human rights, and environmental sustainability.

ECONOMIC INTEGRATION
Economic integration refers to the process by which countries remove barriers to
trade and investment, coordinate economic policies, and deepen economic cooperation
to promote closer economic ties and integration. It involves various degrees of
integration, ranging from preferential trade agreements and regional economic blocs to
complete economic union with a single market and currency.

Example

1. European Union (EU). The EU is a political and economic union of 27 European

countries that have established common institutions and policies, including a single
market, a customs union, and a common currency (the euro) among its member states.
Through economic integration, the EU aims to promote free movement of goods,
services, capital, and labor, facilitate cross-border trade and investment, and foster
economic growth and stability across the region.
Other examples of economic integration include;
2. North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The NAFTA came into effect in
1994, creating the world’s largest free trade zones and laying the foundations for strong
economic growth and rising prosperity for Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Since
then, NAFTA has demonstrated how free trade increases wealth and competitiveness,
delivering real benefits to families, farmers, workers, manufacturers, and consumers.
NAFTA is overseen by a number of institutions that ensure the proper interpretation
and smooth implementation of the Agreement’s provisions. It provides North American
businesses with better access to materials, technologies, investment capital, and talent
available across North America.
3. Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The ASEAN was established on 8
August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration by the
Founding Fathers namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. The
rest of the member nations joined respectively: Brunei Darussalam (1984), Vietnam
(1995), Lao PDR and Myanmar (1997), and Cambodia (1999).
4. Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The
OECD began in the wake of WWII. Today, 36 OECD member countries worldwide
regularly turn to one another to identify problems, discuss and analyze them, and
promote policies to solve them. OECD countries and Key Partners represent about 80%
of world trade and investment.
5. Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). The founding members were Australia;
Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Indonesia; Japan; Korea; Malaysia; New Zealand; the
Philippines; Singapore; Thailand; and the United States. China; Hong Kong, China; and
Chinese Taipei joined in 1991. Mexico and Papua New Guinea followed in 1993. Chile
acceded in 1994. And in 1998, Peru; Russia; and Viet Nam joined, taking the full
membership to 21.
6. Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). OPEC is a
permanent intergovernmental organization of 13 oil-exporting developing nations
that coordinates and unifies the petroleum policies of its Member Countries. OPEC's
objective is to co-ordinate and unify petroleum policies among Member Countries,
in order to secure fair and stable prices for petroleum producers; an efficient,
economic and regular supply of petroleum to consuming nations; and a fair return
on capital to those investing in the industry.

POLITICAL INTEGRATION.
Political integration refers to the process by which sovereign states voluntarily
pool their sovereignty, relinquish certain decision-making powers to supranational
institutions, and coordinate their policies and governance structures to achieve common
political objectives. It typically involves the establishment of political institutions,
mechanisms, and processes at the regional or global level to promote closer
cooperation, integration, and collective decision-making among member states. Political
integration can take various forms, ranging from loose forms of cooperation, such as
intergovernmental organizations and alliances, to more advanced forms, such as political
unions and federations with shared governance structures and decision-making
authority. The goal of political integration is to address shared challenges, promote
peace and stability, enhance political and economic cooperation, and advance common
interests and values among participating states.

1. European Union (EU): The EU is one of the most prominent examples of

political integration. It began as the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in
1951 and evolved into the European Economic Community (EEC) and later the
European Union. The EU has established common institutions, such as the European
Parliament and the European Commission, and shares decision-making authority in
areas such as trade, agriculture, and immigration among its member states.

2. African Union (AU): The AU is a continental organization consisting of 55

member states in Africa. It was established in 2001 to promote political and
economic integration, peace, and security on the African continent. The AU works to
coordinate policies and actions among member states, resolve conflicts, and
promote development and cooperation in various areas, including trade,
infrastructure, and governance.

3. North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO): NATO is an intergovernmental

military alliance formed in 1949 to provide collective defense against external
threats, primarily from the Soviet Union during the Cold War. It consists of 30
member countries, mainly from North America and Europe, who are committed to
mutual defense and security cooperation. NATO engages in joint military exercises,
intelligence sharing, and strategic planning to promote stability and security in the
North Atlantic region.

4. United Nations (UN): The UN is an international organization founded in 1945

to maintain international peace and security, promote cooperation among nations,
and address global challenges such as poverty, human rights abuses, and
environmental degradation. It serves as a forum for dialogue and negotiation
among member states and operates various specialized agencies, programs, and
peacekeeping missions to advance its objectives.

5. ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations): ASEAN is a regional

organization comprising ten member states in Southeast Asia. Founded in 1967,
ASEAN aims to promote economic growth, social progress, and cultural
development in the region through political and economic cooperation. ASEAN
members work together to address regional challenges, foster dialogue and
cooperation, and enhance stability and prosperity in Southeast Asia.

ASSESSMENT

1. What is the primary characteristic of the global interstate system?

a) Centralized authority
b) Territorial integrity
c) Individual sovereignty
d) Economic dependence

2. When did the modern global interstate system emerge?

a) 1648
b) 1776
c) 1914
d) 1945

3. Which organization is an example of economic integration?

a) NATO
b) UN
c) ASEAN
d) OPEC

4. What was the precursor to the European Union (EU)?

a) European Coal and Steel Community
b) North Atlantic Treaty Organization
c) United Nations
d) Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development

5. Which agreement created the world's largest free trade zone?

a) North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
b) Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
c) Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
d) Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

6. What is the goal of political integration?

a) Promote economic growth
b) Maintain territorial integrity
c) Coordinate policies among member states
d) Increase individual sovereignty

7. Which organization was established to provide collective defense against external

threats during the Cold War?
a) European Union (EU)
b) United Nations (UN)
c) North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
d) African Union (AU)

8. What is the primary objective of the African Union (AU)?

a) Economic integration
b) Peace and security
c) Cultural development
d) Political independence

9. What was the original purpose of the United Nations (UN)?

a) Promote economic cooperation
b) Prevent climate change
c) Maintain international peace and security
d) Provide humanitarian aid

10. Which organization aims to promote economic growth and cooperation in

Southeast Asia?
a) European Union (EU)
b) African Union (AU)
c) North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
d) Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
11. What is the primary focus of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)?
a) Economic development
b) Peacekeeping missions
c) Collective defense
d) Environmental sustainability

12. When was the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) founded?
a) 1949
b) 1967
c) 1975
d) 1991

13. Which organization coordinates petroleum policies among its member

countries?
a) European Union (EU)
b) Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
c) Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
d) Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

14. What is the primary objective of the European Union (EU)?

a) Maintain territorial integrity
b) Promote economic integration
c) Provide collective defense
d) Address global poverty

15. Which organization aims to promote political and economic integration in Africa?
a) NATO
b) UN
c) AU
d) EU

16. What is the primary purpose of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)?
a) Economic development
b) Peacekeeping missions
c) Collective defense
d) Environmental sustainability

17. When was the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) founded?
a) 1949
b) 1967
c) 1975
d) 1991

18. Which organization coordinates petroleum policies among its member

countries?
a) European Union (EU)
b) Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
c) Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
d) Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

19. What is the primary objective of the European Union (EU)?

a) Maintain territorial integrity
b) Promote economic integration
c) Provide collective defense
d) Address global poverty

20. Which organization aims to promote political and economic integration in Africa?
a) NATO
b) UN
c) AU
d) EU

21. What is the primary purpose of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)?
a) Economic development
b) Peacekeeping missions
c) Collective defense
d) Environmental sustainability

22. When was the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) founded?
a) 1949
b) 1967
c) 1975
d) 1991

23. Which organization coordinates petroleum policies among its member

countries?
a) European Union (EU)
b) Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
c) Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
d) Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

24. What is the primary objective of the European Union (EU)?

a) Maintain territorial integrity
b) Promote economic integration
c) Provide collective defense
d) Address global poverty

25. Which organization aims to promote political and economic integration in Africa?
a) NATO
b) UN
c) AU
d) EU

26. Analysis: Which of the following statements best contrasts the goals of
economic integration in the European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN)?
a) The EU focuses on political stability, while ASEAN prioritizes economic growth.
b) ASEAN emphasizes cultural exchange, while the EU prioritizes military
cooperation.
c) The EU aims for a single currency, while ASEAN focuses on regional security.
d) ASEAN seeks to reduce economic disparities, while the EU aims for political
unity.

27. Evaluation: Considering the role of political integration in promoting peace and
security, which regional organization has been most successful in addressing
conflicts and maintaining stability?
a) NATO
b) EU
c) AU
d) ASEAN

28. Application: Which of the following strategies could OPEC implement to mitigate
challenges arising from fluctuations in global oil prices?
a) Increase production quotas to lower prices during economic downturns.
b) Diversify member countries' economies to reduce dependence on oil revenues.
c) Impose export restrictions to maintain high prices in the face of oversupply.
d) Negotiate long-term contracts with importing countries to stabilize prices.

29. Synthesis: In a hypothetical scenario where South American countries seek to

form an economic integration agreement similar to the EU, which factor would be
most critical for the success of such an initiative?
a) Harmonization of trade policies
b) Establishment of a common currency
c) Creation of a regional parliament
d) Implementation of a common defense strategy

30. Creation: If Middle Eastern countries were to pursue enhanced political

integration, which of the following steps would be most crucial in overcoming
regional conflicts and fostering stability?
a) Formation of a regional military alliance
b) Implementation of a common immigration policy
c) Establishment of a dispute resolution mechanism
d) Introduction of a single currency for the region

Thank you !