LESSON 4

THE GLOBAL
INTERSTATE
SYSTEM
LESSON OBJECTIVES
When you finish reading this chapter, you should be able
to;
Explain the affects of globalization on governments;
Identify the constitutions that govern international
relations; and
Differentiate internationalism from globalism.
INTRODUCTION
In globalized society, we observe a greater flow of capitals, goods, services,
and people. This is aided by global transportation, communication, and financial
services advances and modernization. However, the traditional state structure is
increasingly limited in its ability to handle globalizing challenges and patterns as a
result of this. The key motivating concepts of traditional state systems of authority
and sovereignty, according to internationalist theorists, run counter to the
necessity for increased political and economic cooperation across different
governments and people. As a result, we'll dig deeper into how globalization
affects national governments and countries in this chapter. We'll also figure out
which global institutions are in charge of international relations. Non-state
organizations and the private sector, we argue, are among these institutions.
Finally, we will distinguish between internationalism and globalism. Definitions of
ideas are necessary for critically understanding a phenomenon as well as forming
the basis of our judgment and review of such cases.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Global Interstate
System Internationalism
 It is an institutional arrangement of  It puts emphasis on diversity and celebrates
governance that addresses regional or multiculturalism, while globalism focuses more
globalized issues that go beyond the on the economic aspect of the exchanges among
scope of a nation-state (Chase-Dann, countries and society.
1981).   It is a political principle that encourages states
 It's the entire network of human and nations to cooperate more politically and
interactions. Politically, the current world economically. It is linked to various political ideas
order is organized as an interstate and movements, but it can also refer to a
system – a collection of competing and philosophy, belief system, or movement in and
allying states. This is referred to as the of itself.
international system by political
scientists, and it is the primary focus of
the study of International Relations.
Broad Categories of Internationalism:
Liberal internationalism – Cluster of ideas derived from
the belief that international progress is possible, where
progress is defined as movement toward increasing levels
of harmonious cooperation between political communities.
Socialist internationalism – is a 
worldwide organization of political parties which seek to
establish democratic socialism. It consists mostly of
democratic socialist and labor political parties and other
organizations.
EFFECTS OF GLOBALIZATION ON
GOVERNANCE
The Global Governance approach aims to identify weaknesses in the international
system for dealing with complex challenges and to engage stakeholders in problem-
solving strategies. It focuses on informing successful multilateral negotiations on the
creation or reform of global institutions, as well as involving new transnational actors
from the corporate sector and civil society more effectively. As a result of economic
integration and free trade among countries, the second beneficial effect of
globalization is that it fosters international trade and wealth growth. Globalization, on
the other hand, is linked to negative consequences. The first bad effect is that it leads
to job loss. Companies are sometimes required to sack some of its employees in order
to decrease pay costs and instead increase profits since they compete with their
market rivals. This is prevalent in developing countries with huge populations of
jobless people living in cities. The second bad effect of globalization is that it
encourages terrorism and criminal activity by allowing people, food, and supplies to
easily flow across countries.
INSTITUTIONS THAT GOVERN
GLOBALIZATION
The governance of global relations has expanded beyond nation-state governments as a
result of expanding globalization. In addressing regional and global concerns such as climate
change, cybercrime, and global financial crises, the scale and breadth of nation-state
governments are constrained. Authors such as Dryzek (2012) and Castells (2008) have
highlighted the growing importance of non-state actors in global governance. NGO's, advocacy
networks, voluntary associations, and interest groups are examples of non-state actors (Castells,
2008). Their affable and friendly techniques appeal to the community and even other state
actors, and they have the ability to organize across sectors (Dryzek, 2012).
International interactions and affairs are governed by a number of institutions. The United
Nations is first and foremost. It is regarded as the facilitator of global governance, with 192
member states. Another example is regional commissions, which are groups of officials from
several countries who teach, discuss, and are in charge of enacting laws that establish economic
and social rights (CEPAL et al, 2015). Examples of these are the Economic Commission for Africa
(ECA), Economic Commission for Europe (ECE), Economic Commission for Latin American and
the Caribbean (ESLAC), and Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP),
Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).
 The World Bank (WB) is an international financial institution that
provides loans to countries of the world for capital projects, established
during the Bretton Woods Conference in 1944 and include other
members like the International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (RDB), International Development Association (IDA),
International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Multilateral Investment
Guarantee Agency (MIGA). These organizations help countries develop
markets and strengthen their economies. Long-term investment
initiatives, institution building, social, environmental, and poverty
challenges are all priorities for the World Bank.
 The IMF focuses on the international monetary system's functioning and the promotion of
good macroeconomic policies as a prerequisite for long-term economic growth. Both institutions, on
the other hand, realize the need for change and internal reform. In recent years, the IMF has
undergone a number of reforms aimed at strengthening its cooperative nature and improving its
ability to serve its members. Here are a few examples:
 The IMF has increasingly become an open and transparent organization, as demonstrated by
the overwhelming amount of information now available on its internet website. It is also
encouraging transparency among its membership.
 It is taking action to strengthen economic governance. For instance, it is promoting the use of
standards and codes as vehicles for sound economic and financial management and corporate
governance.
 It is working to safeguard the stability and integrity of the international financial system as
a global public good. In particular, the joint IMF-World Bank Financial Sector Assessment Program
(FSAP) is at the core of efforts to strengthen financial sectors and combat money laundering in
member countries.
 Lastly, the IMF is an institution ready to listen and learn, and not just from its member
governments. It recognizes and values the role of civil society organizations in articulating the
moral foundations for collective action and building grass roots support.
OTHER EXAMPLES ARE LISTED IN THE TABLE BELOW.
International Organization Key Role/s Sources/Webistes
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Looks at the stability of the international www.imf.org
monetary system by monitoring global
economy, lends to countries, and provides
policy and technical advisory functions to
members.

World Trade Organization (WTO) Regulates international trades, ensures www.wto.org

smooth flow of trade, and provides a forum
for negotiations for trade agreements among
countries and regions of the world
(International Monetary Fund, 2019).

World Health Organization (WHO) Responsible for global researches on www.who.org

medicines and vaccines including the World
Health Report and Survey.
Organization for Economic Cooperation Thirty five member countries aim to stimulate www.oecd.org
and Development (OECD) economic progress and world trade by
providing a platform to compare policy
experiences and identify good practices in
domestic and international economic policies
and programs of its members.
International Labor Organization (ILO) Deals with labor problems, international www.ilo.org
labor standards and social protection for
workers.

Food and Agriculture Organizations of Leads international efforts to defeat www.fao.org

the United Nations (FAQ) hunger, eliminate food insecurity and
malnutrition, and increase resilience of
livelihoods and food.

United Nations Educational, Scientific Contributes to peace and security by www.unesco.org

and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) promoting international collaboration
through educational, scientific, and
cultural reforms.

International Civil Aviation Organization For regulations of international air www.icao.org

(ICAO); International Maritime transport; shipping and prevention of
Organization (IMO); International pollution at sea; developing standards on www.imo.org
Telecommunication Union (ITU); The ICT; international intellectual property
World Intellectual Property Organization rights standards. www.itu.org
(WIPO)
www.wipo.int
GLOBALISM VS.
INTERNATIONALISM
These two concepts are frequently interchanged and refer to
the increasing interconnectedness of countries and people around
the world via communications, transportation, and technology. There
are distinctions between internationalism and globalism, though.
Globalism is an ideology based on the belief that people, goods, and
information should flow freely across national borders.
Internationalism is defined as political, economic, and cultural
cooperation between nations, whereas globalism is an ideology
based on the belief that people, goods, and information should flow
freely across national borders.