THE GLOBAL INTERSTATE SYSTEM

The world is composed of many states having different forms of government. It has
been one of the major subjects of scholars of political disciplines because it is
viewed as the institution that sets policies for the country. The study of international
relations is becoming more imperative since it is an attempt to explain behavior
that occurs across the boundaries of states, the broader relationships of which such
behavior is a part, and the institutions (private, state, nongovernmental, and
intergovernmental) that oversee those interactions.

• First, globalization is seen to impose a forced choice upon nation-states. Either

they conform to the neo-liberal 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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

Global politics entails relationship of countries and different governments and

nongovernmental organizations, 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)

• 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.

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 was 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
wars.

CONTEMPORARY GLOBAL GOVERNANCE

The world has no global government and global authority. There are however,
political and economic bodies operating worldwide that not all people are aware of.
Thus, what the world has is the idea of global governance. This term refers to
domestic institutions and governments on how large-scale problems and public-
policy issues are being resolved on a global level. It involves a range of actors
including states, national and regional bodies that have the eagerness and
commitment to deal with a particular challenge. This lesson will focus primarily on
the United Nations (UN) as the most prominent intergovernmental organization
today as well as the challenges of the twenty-first century governance.

Today, global governance makes world affairs systematic, secured and formulaic.
Weiss & Thakur (2014) describe global governance as the totality of norms, laws,
policies, and bodies that define, comprise, and facilitate transnational relations
between citizens, states, cultures, intergovernmental and non-governmental
organizations. Rules and norms put everything in order. Though global governance
is rule-based, it has no central authority. However, there are systems for
international relationships that bind the states, people and society together. Since
the United Nations (UN) has the greatest number of members among the
established global systems, this section discusses its organs, roles and functions.

The six organs of the United Nations (UN)

• General Assembly is the central deliberative and the only organ where all
member-states have equal representation in discussion and consideration, and
policymaking

• Security Council is the organ which has the commitment to preserve peace and
security.

• Economic and Social Council is the main organ for cooperation, policy reviews,
policy dialogue, and advice on social, economic and environmental issues.

• Trusteeship Council is the organ tasked to administer international oversight for 11

trust territories and to make sure that adequate procedures are taken for
independence and self-government.

• International Court of Justice is UN's prime judicial organ.

• Secretariat is the organ tasked to execute the daily activities as assigned by the
other organs.
 Aside from maintaining international peace and security and protecting
human rights, UN also carries the functions of delivering humanitarian aid,
promoting sustainable development, and upholding international law. The
organization utilizes good offices, diplomacy, and mediation. It does peacekeeping
processes in countries with domestic conflicts and peace-building tasks in countries
freed from conflict, lessening the risk of reversing into conflict and setting the
ground work for sustainable peace and development. In order to protect human
rights, UN scrutinizes situations and issues reported to them and oversee the
exercise of international human rights agreements. In delivering humanitarian aid,
UN is responsible for coordinating responses to emergencies and supports rapid
humanitarian response for people affected by natural disasters and armed conflict.

The Millennium Development Goals was set to promote sustainable

development. In 2015, this was changed into the Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs). These goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable
future for all. This collection of 17 global goals covers social and economic issues
including poverty, hunger, health, education, global warming, gender equality,
water sanitation, energy urbanization, environment and social justice.

Weiss and Thakur (2014), in their article titles, The United Nations Meets the
Twenty-first Century: Confronting the Challenges of Global Governance, identify
challenges confronting UN based on knowledge, norms, policy, institutions and
compliance:

1. In terms of knowledge, UN is underappreciated regarding how its convening

capacity and mobilizing power are utilized to help funnel and consolidate
knowledge from outside and ensure its discussion and dissemination among
governments.

2. The contrasting moral structures of social behavior in different member-

states complicate the formulation of a normative standard that can be
applicable to all.
 3. In formulating propositions, problems occur when only the member-states are
heard. UN belittles the helping hand of non-governmental organizations
(NGOs) and the global public opinion. Sometimes, recommendations are not
executed.

4. Institutions can also be places where ideas are cornered and left behind. The
modality and processes for enforcing compliance with international norms
and laws are not present. In fact, some UN staff members violate, cheat, and
challenge them.

Despite the establishment of global norms and international laws that nation-
states should follow, the nation-states are still relevant for there will be no
intergovernmental organization without them. Also, international and multinational
agreements are designed by the states and propelled by the initiatives that they
undertake. To conclude, contemporary global governance defines political scope of
globalization. Cooperation among nation-states is the only way to reform and
advance the roles and functions of interstate relationships despite real challenges
being faced by United Nations.