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Lesson 2 - Global Interstate System

The document discusses the contemporary global interstate system and the theories surrounding it. It begins by noting that states have traditionally been the dominant actors but that non-state actors now also play important roles. It then outlines the key elements and theories of the interstate system, including realism, liberalism, constructivism, and Marxism. It also discusses how concepts of state, sovereignty, and territory have evolved. Finally, it examines the growing influence of non-state actors like international organizations and NGOs.

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jeanne
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241 views18 pages

Lesson 2 - Global Interstate System

The document discusses the contemporary global interstate system and the theories surrounding it. It begins by noting that states have traditionally been the dominant actors but that non-state actors now also play important roles. It then outlines the key elements and theories of the interstate system, including realism, liberalism, constructivism, and Marxism. It also discusses how concepts of state, sovereignty, and territory have evolved. Finally, it examines the growing influence of non-state actors like international organizations and NGOs.

Uploaded by

jeanne
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Global Interstate System

GE TCW
[ The Contemporary World ]
Introduction
• For a long time, states have been the dominant actors in
international affairs

• But at present, non-state actors (e.g. international


organizations, NGOs) take on roles used to be performed by
states alone
Learning Outcomes
• At the end of this lesson, learners are expected to:

1. Identify the elements of contemporary interstate system;


2. Discuss competing views of interstate system;
3. Elaborate changes in the construct of state, sovereignty and
territory;
4. Explain the emergence and impact of non-state actors; and
5. Evaluate the impact of globalization on the global interstate
system
The Interstate System
• In the interstate system, the units are the states and their
interactions include war, diplomacy and cooperation

• Contemporary interstate system can be traced back to


Peace of Westphalia
Capital and Coercion

Rise of Capitalist “The state makes wars, and


Class war makes the state.”
- Charles Tilly

Capitalist Class
Money Tax collection; Army

security money

Monarchs Bureaucracy
Theories of International Relations
• Competing explanations on the character of the interstate
system and nature of interstate relations

1. Realism;
2. Liberalism;
3. Constructivism; and
4. Marxism
Theories of International Relations
1. Realism

– Suspicious about any long-term possibility of peace

– International system as anarchy – absence of central authority


• Self-help system
Theories of International Relations
1. Realism

– Realists emphasize the role of power


• Be it in the form of military capabilities, strong economy, internal
stability, and foreign alliances

– Distribution of power and stability


• Unipolarity
• Bipolarity
• Multipolarity
The Philippines and the Korean War
Realists emphasize that conflicts are
inevitable. In 1950, the Philippines
was among the UN member states to
send military troops to Korea after
North Korea invaded the South. The
sending of troops (PEFTOK), came
after the UN General Assembly
passed the Uniting for Peace
Resolution that called upon UN
member-states to unite against the
attack by North Korea.
Theories of International Relations
2. Liberalism

– Optimistic for long-term peace, through:


• International organizations
• Economic interdependence
• Democracy
Philippine Membership with the United Nations
Liberalists emphasize the important
role of international organizations
like the United Nations. The
Philippines became a member of the
UN in 1945 when it signed the UN
Charter in San Francisco. Carlos P.
Romulo (seated) became Chief of the
Philippine Mission to the United
Nations. He eventually became the
first Asian President during the 4th
General Assembly.
Theories of International Relations
3. Constructivism

– Anarchy is also not an inherent condition, but “anarchy is what


states make of it”

– States may change the way they interact


Theories of International Relations
4. Marxism

– History is a struggle between classes and between countries

– The world is divided among the core, semi-peripheral and


peripheral countries

– States are poor because they have a role to play in the world
system
State, Sovereignty, and Territory
• Centrality of the constructs of state, sovereignty, and
territory

– State: absolutist state vs. liberal state

– Sovereignty: pre and post French Revolution

– Territory: armed boundaries vs. soft boundaries


West Philippine Sea Dispute
Territorial and boundary disputes are common.

In 2012, a naval stand-off between the Philippine forces and the Chinese
forces happened in the disputed waters of the West Philippine Sea.

Four years later, in 2016 the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which


heard the case filed by the Philippines, gave a verdict claiming that
China has no legal basis or historic claim on the so-called Nine-dash line
and asked the Chinese government to abide by international laws.
Case Study 3.
West Philippine Sea Dispute
Non-State Actors
• Another development: growing number of non-state actors

– Examples: intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), non-


governmental organizations (NGOs), multinational corporations
(MNCs)

– Examples of IGOs: EU, ASEAN, APEC, NATO


Non-State Actors
– IGOs: help govern a wide range of issue-areas, including security,
economy, human rights, etc.

– NGOs: Human Rights Watch, Transparency International,


Greenpeace

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