It is an established fact that, if
the states were not organized into nations and men were not willing to follow
their governments then it was nearly impossible to enter into an international
relation. However the concept of Nation-State was first pronounced in 1648
after 30 years (1618-1648) European Religious War between Holy
Roman Empire and German Empires. After this war the "Treaty
of Westphalia" was signed between numerous states including
England, France, Austria, Spain and German etc.
According to this treaty the
nation-states would be provided with sovereignty both internal and
external. No power other than government of the state would control the
internal and/or external affairs of the nation-state. And the people of the
state would willingly obey their respective governments. "Nation-state system is the pattern of
political life in which people are separately organized into sovereign states
that interact with one another in varying degrees and in vary ways" said
Palmer.
Before nation state system there was
no internal or external sovereignty in the states and states were controlled
and run by lords, religious emperors and kings. In the middle age between 400-1500
the feudalism
was prevailing where servers worked for their feudal-lords in an exchange of
land. On the other hand Holy Roman Empire was established for the same sake
where Kings and Nobles were superior in powers than the knights who were
workers and fighters for the same. However Pope had somehow supreme power even
over kings. So this situation was quite disturbing because of undefined
ultimate supremacy.
However, this power conflict led to
a situation where the national-royal army was established.
In that era the first gun powder was invented along with another major
invention of Canons/Tanks to attack on adversaries. Howsoever, after the war
and signing the Treaty of Westphalia slowly internal sovereignty established.
Nonetheless many scholars argued
that the concept of nation-state system is disappearing from the world because
countries are no longer capable of protecting their people from war, since now
the war is not traditional but nuclear, psychological and economical
in manners. By the passage of time the nation state system has evolved along
with the industrial revolution, economic interdependence of states,
technological advancement, diplomatic relations and international laws
governing nations.
Elements of
Nation-State:
(1) Sovereignty: This
was the first and foremost important element of nation-state in "Treaty of
Westphalia" which provides that the
nation-states would be free from outside interference and pressure
and would be free to pursue their national interest through independent
foreign policy.
(2)Territorial
Integrity: It was another important element that spells out
the territorial integrity and describes that, territorial boundaries of the
states would be honored and shall be free from external control.
(3) Legal Equality:
It means that all the states, regardless of their population, geographical
size, economic position, military capacity and relationship etc would be
considered equal members of international community. Though the UN
recognizes the legal equality in its Charter but still P5 is a fence in the way
of this element.
Effects of
Globalization Nation-State System:
(i) Growing Inter-dependence:
Since the globalization has prevailed, the interdependency of countries has
also escalated. The developing countries are dependent on developed countries
either for trade relations or for nuclear development programs. This dependency
affects their sovereignty.
(ii) Compromising on National
Interests: In the name of Free-trade the rich countries exploit poor
countries by imposing conditions to be fulfilled. Fulfillment of such
conditions often goes against their national interests but they are left with
no other option.
(iii) Regional
Integration: Regional integration also affects the
sovereignty of a country since such Regional Integrations (like SAARC and
ASEAN) are bounded by some trade conditions which may go
against country’s national interests.
(iv) Nuclear Race: Nuclear
race has jeopardized the world where every country is somehow engaged into
nuclear program to make it safer and secure from potential threats. Since such
nuclear programs are immensely expensive and sensitive so they don’t only
overburden the Financial Budget but also make the country dependent of
non-state actors like IFM.
(v) Growing role of
MNCs: Poor countries are required to develop their
economies to fulfill the basic needs of their people. For this, they invite
Direct Foreign Investment (DFI) and Multinational Organizations (MNCs) to make
industries and firms in their country. However, in such case the MNCs exploits
poor states by imposing numerous conditions like tax reduction, reduced
environmental standards etc.
Comments
Post a Comment