Nation-State System | Treaty of Westphalia

            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.