THE GLOBAL

INTERSTATE SYSTEM
LESSON 2
CONTEMPORARY WORLD
 The Interstate System
The origins of the present-day concept of Sovereignty can be traced back
to the Treaty of Westphalia, which was a set of agreements signed in 1648
to end the thirty years’ war between the major continental powers of
Europe. The Westphalian system provided stability for the nations of
Europe, until it faced its major challenge by Napoleon Bonaparte. The
latter believed in spreading the principles of the French Revolution -
liberty, equality and fraternity to the rest of Europe. Despite the challenge
of Napoleon to the Westphalian system and the eventual collapse of the
Concert of Europe after World War I, present-day international system has
traces of this history.
 Effects of Globalization to Governments

• First, globalization is seen to impose a forced choice upon

nation-states. Either they conform to the neoliberal ideas
and free-market principles of deregulation, privatization,
and free trade or run the risk of being left behind in terms
of development. Of course, nation-states, in this
contemporary age, are forced to submit themselves to the
demands of globally accepted free-market principles.
 Effects of Globalization to Governments

• Second is the establishment of economic and political

integrations. One good example is the European Union (EU)
and the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). EU
has a single currency and monetary system, parliament with
legislative powers, with common citizens’ rights to live, work,
vote and run for office. The statehood of the members is not
dissolved, what has changed is only how the nation-states
function, in terms of economy and politics, as part of a whole.
 Effects of Globalization to Governments

• The third effect of globalization is the

establishment of international laws and
principles. This is observable in the
establishment of the UN that operates as a
forum for nation-states to air their differences
and try to resolve them.
 Effects of Globalization to Governments

• The fourth effect is the rise of transnational activism

(TNA). Such happens when activist groups of nation-
states connect with their counterparts in other states.
For example, an advocacy-based organization in the
Philippines may connect itself with and get support
from other human rights groups in Europe to pressure
the Philippine government to realign its stance and
actions in upholding human rights.
 Institutions that Govern International Relations

There are several international organizations that governments

of countries around the world and individuals participate in. In
order to facilitate connections among nation-states,
intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) were established.
Their aim is to foster strong economic, political, cultural,
educational, and technical intergovernmental relationships.
There are also nongovernmental organizations promoting social
and economic growth. Let us look at them one by one.
 Peace Treaties and Military Alliances: The UN
and NATO
The United Nations (UN) is one of the
leading political organizations in the
world where nation-states meet and
deliberate. However, it remains as an
independent actor in global politics.
Generally, it functions in four areas:
military issues, economic issues,
environmental issues, and human
protection. It is made up of close to 200
countries from around the world, 193
member states to be exact. (United
Nations, 2011)
 Peace Treaties and Military Alliances: The UN
and NATO

The North Atlantic Treaty

Organization was created in
1949 by the United States,
Canada, and several Western
European nations to provide
collective security against the
Soviet Union
 Peace Treaties and Military Alliances: The UN
and NATO

NATO was the first peacetime military alliance the

United States entered into outside of the Western
Hemisphere. After the destruction of the Second World
War, the nations of Europe struggled to rebuild their
economies and ensure their security.
 Global Economic Associations: The WTO and
NAFTA
The next group is an economic association-WTO which was created with the
goal of increasing free trade. Countries, therefore, can buy and sell goods from
one another without placing takes on imports or tariffs. In addition, tariffs are
used to protect businesses and companies inside their country. Another famous
economic organization is NAFTA. This is an economic treaty between the
United States, Canada, and Mexico in which the three countries trade freely
without taxing each other. NAFTA is not without critics either. Some American
autoworkers protested against NAFTA as several car companies moved their
factories to Mexico in search for cheaper labor. NAFTA, like WTO, represents
the challenge in America of keeping manufacturing factories.
 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Established in 1967, now has 10 member states. Its aims are to

accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural
development in the region; promote regional progression;
advance peace and sustainability; promote active and
beneficial cooperation and mutual assistance on matters of
common interest in the economic, technical, cultural,
administrative and scientific fields.
 European Union (EU)
An IGO with 28- state members were established in 1993. Its
goals are to promote peace, its values, and well-being of its
citizens; offer freedom, security and justice without internal
borders; uphold sustainable development; combat social
exclusion and discrimination; promote scientific and
technological progress; enhance economic; social and territorial
cohesion among member countries; respect cultural and
linguistic diversity; and establish an economic and monetary
union.
 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Another example of an international organization that was
developed out of war is the Red Cross (Red Crescent in Muslim
countries). NGOs are not tied to any country. This allows them to
operate freely throughout the world. They provide emergency relief
such as food, water, and medical supplies for those whose homes or
towns have been destroyed by disaster or war. They also monitor the
treatment of prisoner of wars and go to conflicts to make sure that
no war crimes are taking place. In fact, the Red Cross began as an
organization to help those who were wounded during war.
 EXERCISE
DIRECTION: Answer the following briefly.
1.What is the main purpose of WTO and NAFTA? (10
POINTS)
2.Differentiate the UN and NATO using Venn
Diagram. (20 POINTS)
3.Describe the function of NGO’s. (10 POINTS)