GLOBAL INTERESTATE SYSTEM

Global
- Pertaining to the entire globe rather than a specific region or country. Often used
interchangeably with the term international, with one exception being in regards to
mutual funds among the countries.

Interstate
- It is between the two or more states; between places or persons among the different
states. Concerning or affecting two or more states politically or territorially.

System
- A regularly interacting group or interdependent group of items forming a unified
whole.

The Modern World System

• Followed the crisis of the feudal system in Europe and helps explain the rise of
Western Europe to world supremacy between 1450 to 1670
• World economic system emerged
• Now a global economy with a global political system (the modern interstate system)
• Structured politically as interstate system – a system of competing and allying
states
• A single global economy composed of international trade and capital flows,
transnational corporations that produce products on several continents, as well as all
the economic transactions that
occur within countries and at local levels.
• Rise and fall of hegemonic powers

- The Global Interstate System - It is a network wherein they have the control in high
speed highways which has the authority in the national highways in USA. It was opened
for the public to cross and deliver goods easily to other people as well to different
nations.

It is also a structure of globalization wherein there are many organizations involve, they are
the ones that complete the globalization namely: institutions that govern international
relations, World Bank group, specialized agencies, and specialized international
institutions.
 World Bank Group
1. International Bank Reconstruction & Development (IBRD) : offer loans to middles
class countries and improve their economy.

2. International Development Association (IDA): provide loans and grant programs

that boost economic growth.
3. International Finance Corporation (IFC): provide loans for private sectors
in developing countries.
4. Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA): to promote foreign
direct investment in developing countries.
5. International Centre for Settlement of Investments Disputes (ICSID):
forum for investors in most of international investments.

6. International Monetary Fund (IMF): ensure the stability of international

monetary system.

WHO – World Health Org.

ILO - International Labor Org.
FAO – Food and Agriculture Org.
UNESCO – United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Org.

State - Community of persons more or less numerous, occupying a definite portion of a territory, independent
form external control and possessing a government to which the great body of inhabitants render habitual
obedience

Elements of State

1. People
2. Territory
3. Sovereignty
4. Government

GLOBAL INTERSTATE SYSTEM

What is GLOBALIZATION?
- An ongoing process of integration between different nations to encourage the flow of goods,
services, capital and labor.

Global Interstate System

- Refers to a controlled access for national relations. It is the study of interconnected of
social, politics, economics, and low on a global level.
 The Union of International Associations (UIA)
- A research institute and documentation centre, based in Brussels, was founded over 100 years
ago, in 1907 by Henri La Fontaine and Paul Ollet, a founding father of what is now called
Information Science.
- Non-profit, apolitical, independent, and non-governmental in nature, the UIA has been a
pioneer in the research, monitoring, and provisions of info. On International Org.,
International associations, and their global challenges since 1907.
- The UIA has consultative status with ECOSOC and associate status with UNESCO.

UNESCO
- Intergovernmental org. tasked to promote international co-operation and create and maintain
international order.
- Objectives include maintain international peace and security, promoting human rights,
fostering social and economic development, protecting the environment, and providing
humanitarian aid in cases of famine, natural disaster, and armed conflict.
- The UN is the largest, most familiar, most internationally represented and most powerful
intergovernmental org. in the world.

GLOBAL GOVERNANCE
Global governance - refers to the way in which global affairs are managed and regulated through
cooperation and coordination among various actors, including states, international organizations, non-
governmental organizations, and other stakeholders.

• States play a central role in global governance by negotiating and signing treaties to address international
issues such as trade, environmental protection, human rights, and security.
• They also form international organizations, such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization,
and regional bodies like the European Union, to collectively address and regulate various global
concerns.
Entities such as the United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and World Trade
Organization play significant roles in global governance by providing platforms for international
cooperation and decision-making on various issues.
• Transnational corporations exert influence on global governance through their economic power, lobbying
activities, and involvement in international trade and investment.
• They often engage with governments and international organizations to shape policies and regulations
that affect global economic, environmental, and social issues.

What is an International Organization?

 IOs, the term is commonly used to refer to international intergovernmental organizations or groups that
are primarily made up of member – states.
POWERS OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

 IOs have the power of classification

 IOs have the power to fix meanings

 IOs have the power to diffuse norms

1. Power of Classification:
1. International organizations possess the power to classify and categorize various phenomena,
such as global issues, human rights violations, environmental concerns, and economic indicators.
2. Through this power, IOs can frame and define complex issues, influencing how they are
understood and addressed at the international level.
2. The power to fix meanings - refers to the authority of international organizations (IOs) to establish and
standardize interpretations, definitions, and legal frameworks, thereby influencing how issues are
understood and addressed at the international level.
Example: The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
 The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) provides a notable example of an
international agreement through which IOs have exercised the power to fix meanings. UNCLOS,
adopted in 1982, established a comprehensive legal framework governing the rights and responsibilities
of nations in their use of the world's oceans and seas.
 Defining Maritime Zones:
o UNCLOS fixed meanings by defining various maritime zones, including territorial waters,
exclusive economic zones, and the continental shelf. By doing so, it established clear
parameters for the rights and jurisdiction of coastal states, as well as the obligations of other
states in these maritime areas.
 Legal Clarity and Predictability:
o Through the establishment of specific definitions and legal provisions, UNCLOS aimed to
provide legal clarity and predictability in maritime affairs, contributing to the peaceful and
equitable use of the world's oceans and seas.
 Influence on State Behavior:
o By fixing meanings related to maritime boundaries, environmental protection, and resource
management, UNCLOS has influenced state behavior and international interactions,
contributing to the development of widely accepted norms and practices in maritime
governance.
3. Power to Diffuse Norms:
1. International organizations play a crucial role in diffusing norms and standards across borders by
promoting and advocating for specific values, principles, and rules.
2. Through their activities, IOs contribute to the spread of international norms related to human
rights, environmental protection, trade regulations, and other areas of global concern.
Significance of These Sources (Pros)
• Diverse Perspectives: The involvement of states, INGOs, and transnational corporations ensures that
global governance reflects diverse perspectives and interests.
• Expertise and Resources: Each source brings unique expertise and resources to address global
challenges, contributing to more comprehensive and effective governance.
• Accountability: The involvement of multiple sources holds global governance actors accountable through
checks and balances, promoting transparency and democratic processes.
Challenges (Cons)
• Power Imbalances: The influence of powerful transnational corporations can sometimes overshadow the
interests of smaller states and less influential actors, leading to unequal outcomes in global governance.
• Lack of Representation: Some regions and communities may be underrepresented in global governance
processes, impacting the inclusivity and legitimacy of decision-making.
• Conflicting Agendas: Different sources of global governance may have conflicting agendas, leading to
challenges in reaching consensus on international issues.

The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945, after the Second
World War, to promote peace, security, cooperation, and diplomacy among its member states. It
serves as a forum for countries to address global challenges, uphold international law, and foster
sustainable development and human rights.
Key Aspects of the United Nations:

1. Peace and Security:

1. The UN aims to prevent conflicts and maintain international peace and security through
initiatives such as peacekeeping operations, diplomacy, and mediation efforts.
2. Sustainable Development:
1. It promotes sustainable development by addressing issues such as poverty, hunger, health,
education, gender equality, clean water, and sanitation through the Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs).
3. Human Rights:
1. The UN advocates for the protection of human rights globally and works to prevent human rights
abuses through various mechanisms, including the Human Rights Council and the Office of the
High Commissioner for Human Rights.
4. Humanitarian Assistance:
1. It provides humanitarian aid to people affected by natural disasters, conflicts, and other
emergencies through agencies such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR) and the World Food Programme (WFP).
5. International Law:
1. The UN serves as a platform for the development and enforcement of international law,
addressing issues such as arms control, disarmament, and the regulation of the use of force in
international relations.
6. Global Cooperation:
1. It fosters international cooperation on a wide range of issues, including climate change,
environmental protection, public health, and counterterrorism.

6 Main Organs of UN

1. General Assembly
- Main deliberative organ of the UN comprised of all member states, each of which has one vote.
- Its resolutions are only recommendations to the Member States, but as they represent the majority
of the world’s view they carry heavy moral weight and often lead countries to join international
agreements called treaties.

2. Security Council
- Has primary responsibility under the UN Charter to maintain international peace and security. Unlike
the Gen. Assembly, the Security Council does not hold regular meetings. It can be conveyed anytime,
whenever international peace is threatened.
- UN Security Council is a primary organ responsible for maintaining international peace and security. It
has the authority to make decisions and issue resolutions on a wide range of security-related issues,
including peacekeeping operations, sanctions, and the authorization of the use of force.
- Security Council Permanent Members: CHINA, USA, FRANCE, RUSSIA, UK

3. United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

- ECOSOC brings people and issues together to promote collective action for a
sustainable world

- At the centre of the UN development system, we conduct cutting-edge analysis,

agree on global norms and advocate for progress.

- Central body for coordinating the economic and social work of the United Nations and
the UN System.

4. The Trusteeship Council

- The United Nations Trusteeship Council was established to ensure that trust territories—territories
placed under the administration of member states—were administered in the best interests of their
inhabitants and for international peace and security.

- The system was created at the end of the World War II to promote the advancement of
the inhabitants of those dependent Territories and their progressive development
towards self- governance or independence.

- Council is comprised of the permanent members of the Security Council— China,

France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States.

5. The International Court of Justice

- Is the UN’s main judicial organ, located in The Hague, Netherlands. Established in
1945, the ICJ, or “World Court” assumed its functions in 1946. The Court settles legal
disputes only between nations and not between individuals, in accordance with
international law.
- The ICJ settles legal disputes between states and gives advisory opinions on legal
questions referred to it by the UN General Assembly, the UN Security Council, or other
specialized agencies authorized to make such referrals.

6. The Secretariat

- The Secretariat is made up of an international staff working at UN Headquarters in

New York, as well as UN offices in Geneva, Vienna, Nairobi and other locations.

- The Secretariat is one of the principal organs of the United Nations (UN), and it is responsible for
carrying out the day-to-day work of the organization. It is headed by the Secretary-General, who is the
chief administrative officer of the UN.