 Global Interstate System

o Conceptualizes international society as states acting like persons in a community.

o Encompasses the whole system of human interactions politically structured as
competing and allying states.
o Also called the international system, central to International Relations.
 Purpose of Global Interstate System
o Contributes to peace and security through international collaboration.
o Promotes educational, scientific, and cultural reforms.
o Aims to increase universal respect for justice, rule of law, human rights, and
fundamental freedoms.
 Importance of Global Interstate System
o Characterized by an anarchic nature without a central authority.
o Relations between states take place in a Hobbesian 'state of nature' where security
is a primary goal.
 Global Interstate System and Globalization
o Results from removal of barriers between national economies to encourage flow
of goods, services, capital, and labor.
o Serves as the basis of competitive commodity economy at the global level.
 Interstate System in International Relations
o Relations between two states dominated by coercion, threats, and force.
o International violence shaped by state power.
 International System
o Refers to the global constellation of states.
o Applicable to 20th-century and pre-industrial international state systems.
 Peace Treaties and Military Alliances: The UN and NATO
o United Nations (UN):
 Established post-World War II for international cooperation.
 193 member states with operations in military, economic, environmental,
and human protection areas.
 Maintains peace and security, prevents conflict, peacekeeping, and
supports human rights.
 Security Council with 15 members (5 permanent with veto power).
 Includes UNICEF for children’s emergency relief, and programs for
sustainable development and environmental protection.
 International Court of Justice (ICJ) and other tribunals for settling disputes
and war crimes.
o NATO:
 Military alliance formed for collective security among the US, Canada,
and 25 European countries.
 Created post-World War II and during the Cold War, expanded to former
Soviet states.
 The US leads NATO operations globally in military conflicts.
 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
o Operate independently from governments for humanitarian aid and monitoring
war crimes.
o Examples include Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, Oxfam, Amnesty
International, and Save the Children.
 Global Economic Associations: WTO and NAFTA
o WTO (World Trade Organization):
 162 member countries promoting free trade by reducing tariffs.
 Criticized for favoring large corporations over ordinary people.
o NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement):
 Trade treaty between the US, Canada, and Mexico for tax-free trade
among them.
 Criticized for job losses in the US due to companies relocating to Mexico
for cheaper labor.
 Internationalism and Globalism
o Internationalism: Interaction among nations primarily through formal national
representatives and separated by national boundaries.
o Globalism: Increased interconnectedness and reduced significance of borders due
to globalization and transnational corporations.
o Technological advances in transportation and communication have accelerated
globalization.
o Historical progression from nationalism to internationalism varies by region and
time.
o US retains more nationalist practices compared to Europe’s integration efforts.
 Informationalism
o Globalism linked to networks, with information as a binding force through
technology, media, and the internet.
o Shift from industrialism to informationalism where exchange of knowledge
becomes central.
o Technological advances include container ships, airfreight (FedEx), medical
imaging, satellites, GPS, and global navigation systems.
o New Media Age emphasizes the medium of communication (TV, radio,
newspapers) shaping culture and individual identity globally.
o The Internet connects individuals worldwide but is limited by barriers like lack of
electricity, illiteracy, and government restrictions.
Case Study 1 – Refugee Crisis in Syria

Millions of Syrians were displaced due to ongoing civil war. The United Nations (UN), NGOs
like Save the Children, and neighboring states provided aid, but political disagreements slowed
progress.

Group Questions:

1. What role does the UN play in responding to refugee crises?

2. Why are NGOs important in situations where states or international organizations act
slowly?
3. What challenges prevent states from accepting more refugees?
4. How can international treaties improve refugee protection?
5. If you were a policymaker, what action would you recommend?

Case Study 2 – NATO in Afghanistan

After 9/11, NATO countries joined forces in Afghanistan for collective security operations.
While they aimed to fight terrorism, critics argued that intervention worsened instability.

Group Questions:

1. What is the purpose of NATO in global security?

2. Do you think military alliances always promote peace? Why or why not?
3. What were the successes and failures of NATO in Afghanistan?
4. How do interventions affect the sovereignty of weaker states?
5. Suggest alternatives to military action in fighting terrorism.

Case Study 3 – WTO and Trade Disputes

The World Trade Organization (WTO) reduced tariffs to promote free trade. However,
developing countries complain that richer countries benefit more, and local industries suffer.

Group Questions:

1. How does the WTO help countries economically?

2. What challenges arise for smaller or weaker economies in the WTO system?
3. How can trade liberalization harm local farmers or industries?
4. Should the WTO create special rules for developing nations? Why or why not?
5. If you were a policymaker of a developing country, how would you balance global trade
and local industries?

Case Study 4 – NAFTA and Jobs

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) allowed free trade among the US,
Canada, and Mexico. While businesses benefited, many US workers lost jobs as companies
moved to Mexico for cheaper labor.

Group Questions:
 1. What is the main purpose of NAFTA?
2. How can free trade agreements both help and harm economies?
3. Who benefits most from free trade: businesses, workers, or consumers? Explain.
4. Should countries prioritize cheap production or local job protection?
5. Propose one reform that would make free trade agreements fairer.

Case Study 5 – Climate Change and the UN

At the Paris Agreement (2015), countries under the UN pledged to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions. However, some nations withdrew or failed to meet targets.

Group Questions:

1. Why is international cooperation important in solving global problems like climate

change?
2. What challenges prevent states from fully committing to agreements?
3. How do economic interests affect climate negotiations?
4. Should rich countries do more than poor countries in addressing climate change? Why or
why not?
5. Suggest one global solution to strengthen climate cooperation.

Case Study 6 – Humanitarian Aid in Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda)

After Typhoon Haiyan devastated the Philippines in 2013, the UN, Red Cross, and many NGOs
provided massive humanitarian aid. International cooperation was essential for rebuilding.

Group Questions:

1. How do NGOs and international organizations complement state efforts in disaster

response?
2. Why can’t states handle such crises alone?
3. What are the risks when aid is mismanaged or politicized?
4. How can states prepare better for future disasters?
5. Design a plan showing how states, NGOs, and the UN can coordinate better in
emergencies.

Case Study 7 – Russia-Ukraine Conflict

In 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. NATO supported Ukraine with weapons and aid, while the UN
condemned the invasion but struggled to stop it due to Russia’s veto power in the Security
Council.

Group Questions:

1. How does the UN’s Security Council structure limit its effectiveness?
2. What role does NATO play in this conflict?
3. How do sanctions affect both the aggressor and the global economy?
4. What risks arise when powerful states ignore international law?
5. Suggest reforms to the UN to make it more effective in resolving wars.
Case Study 8 – Internet and Informationalism

With globalization and technology, the internet connects people worldwide. However, some
governments restrict online information to maintain control, limiting freedom of speech and
access to knowledge.

Group Questions:

1. How has informationalism (internet, media, technology) strengthened global

interconnectedness?
2. What are the risks when governments restrict or control online information?
3. How does misinformation affect international relations?
4. Should the internet be regulated globally? Why or why not?
5. Suggest ways to balance freedom of information and national security.