The Main Actors of World Politics Are Nation-States - Essay Example

? Introduction The main actors of the World politics are nation s; however, they do not act alone. The world system comprises of international organizations, nation states, and private actors. Non-state actors have increased tremendously, weakening the state-centric principle of world politics and replacing the principle with a transnational principle, in which, relations become complex. These organizations 1have changed international environment in the area of politics (Brown 1995, p. 54). Some international observers have concluded that; states have declined in addressing crucial matters and non-state actors have gained status and influence. New theories have indicated that the mutual dependence between national-states and transnational political actors has expanded. From a traditional grouping, non-state actors can be classified into two groups; International non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs). IGOs consist of non-state actors established by the nation-states. The IGOs can be classified according to their roles; for example, economic, political, and environmental IGOs. NGOs can be established by a group of persons, and not the nation-states. NGOs play a vital role in nation-state and world politics through determination of policies. This assignment will critically analyze the view that non-state actors have become irrelevant to world politics. More specifically, it will cover the influential role of IGOs and NGOs in world politics. Critically analyze the proposition that non-state actors are irrelevant to world politics. Non-state actors play a significant role in foreign policy formation of nation-states and influence their foreign policy behavior significantly. They gather in domestic and international settings and mobilize 2global and national public opinion. These non-state actors work in different states; therefore, the non-state actors can exploit nation-states against each other. Through the hiring of political leaders and bureaucrats, non-state actors use individual connections of their employees. This implies that they have a significant influence to politics in the world. It has become evident that the nation-states cannot do without the non-state actors in dealing with issues relating to climate change, food shortage, overpopulation, and poverty among other problems. These problems emanate from bureaucracy and domestic politics. Since IGOs are instruments of the states, they influence national-states in making political and bureaucratic policies, which help in solving the problems of the nation-states (Brown 1995, p. 57). Hence, they become an integral part of world politics. There exists a strong connection between the role of non-state actors and the distribution of power. Without proper exercise of power nation-states would become unruly; power is the principal variable that explains behavior of states (Bennet 1994, p. 43). Most international actors act with a self interest of what they will gain. However, the non-state actors play a significant role in observing the behavior changes of nation-states. The non-state actors ensure there is a total behavior change in the nation-states faced with power dilemmas. This means that; the non-state actors concentrate on a long term solution rather than concentrating on a short term solution in dealing with issues of powers dilemma in nation-states (Donelly 1994, p. 66). As a result, non-state actors play considerably significant role in world politics. Donelly (1994, p. 79)3 concludes that political scientists and neo-realists appreciate the role of non-state actors in politics of the world. The non-state actors’ role is significant in the international politics and has expanded internationally with the increasing level of nation-state interdependence. Increasing transactions and common concerns on global problems require collaboration between the nation-states and the transnational organizations. In most of the problems brought by political indifferences between nation-states, the non-state actors have always emerged to solve any differences. For example, during the cold war many nation-states engaged in the fighting and ended up with hatred. The non-state actors played a remarkable role in uniting the various nation-states affected by the conflict. Even today, the non-state actors, play a vital role in uniting communities facing conflicts as a result of political influence. Hence, the non-state actors still have a significant role in the international politics. In most of the communities or nation-states faced with conflicts, the non-state actors influence the formation of regional, national or international policies. The non-state actors are significant instruments in the world politics. Today, it is almost impossible to analyze behaviors of national-states and international politics without attaching immense significance to them. The nation-states have come out of state-centric principle and are now incorporating non-state actors in order to maintain and sustain their interests. Any theoretical and conceptual frameworks rely on non-state actors in order to make sound analysis of the world politics (Karns 1990, p. 54). Multinational corporations (MNCs) can be categorized to fall in the group of non-state actors’ class of NGO. The MNCs have influences in the nation-states from where they operate. They exercise economic control since their GDP growth exceeds the GDP growth of some nation-states (Clark & Chan 1995, p. 99). The MNCs have the capacity of creating social and political division in the host 4countries. However, the MNCs serve national interests in the host countries and act as instruments of economic development in the host countries and a tool for diplomacy (Carnoy 1993, p.103). The MNCs can control the political atmosphere of the host nation-state, due to their wealth. Most of the nation-states, even the most powerful ones, have recognized the political influence, which the MNCs have in the making of foreign policies. Hence, they play a vital role in the world politics. Keohane (1984, p.56) observes that Non-state actors perform a significant role in international politics. National Liberation Movements (NLMs), for example, as a non-state actor, have played a crucial role in international politics for many years in Asia, Africa 5and Latin America. Some NLMs became the principal, crucial actors of various world problems. One of the most well recognized examples of NLMs, which has played a crucial role in the world politics is the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). From the late 60’s, PLO has played a chief role in the Arab-Israeli conflict. Other vital NLMs were the African National Congress, which brought down the government of whites supremacist, Patriotic Front that fought the white government of Rhodesia; and the SWAPO, which helped to gain power in Namibia. Most NLMs have been the principal actors of post World War II decolonization in Africa (Keohane 1984, p.56). The NLMs played a vital role in shaping the African map and the political structure of most African states. Hence, these non-state actors are remarkably relevant to the world politics. Stateless nations or ethnic groups without a state are crucial actors of world politics. Without them, there would be no political stability in some regions. Examples of stateless nations, which are effective actors of world politics, include the Palestinians and the Kurds of Middle East. The Kurdish people, for example, play a crucial function in the Middle East politics (Olson 1994, p. 77). Other countries such as US and Israel have been using the Kurds and their organizations to go against the central government in the Kurds territory. Without the Kurds agreement, there could be no supportive stability in the area. The Kurdish people take part in the formation of policies, which affect international politics. Hence they become relevant to the world politics (Olson 1994, p. 79). Epistemic communities, which comprises of non-state actors influence international politics. The Epistemic group consists of experts who believe in following a given course in issues affecting nation-states. This group provides knowledge that increases international relationships. They affect the international 6politics through the theories, which they develop. The theories help in resolving international problems that emerge (Kegley 1997, p. 67). Through the new theories, which they develop, they influence international or regional policies made by nation-states. Example, of influence of the epistemic communities, is the Med Plan. Hence, epistemic group as a non-state actor is relevant to the world politics. Kegley (1995, p.40) notes that some NGOs are influential in international politics. These organizations monitor the human rights worldwide. They include; Red Crescent, Amnesty International, and the Red Cross. The organizations ensure that nation-states conform to the set transnational formal and informal laws. These consist of laws eliminating political constraints. Nation-states have to consider transnational public opinion since there are many international organizations monitoring human rights practices in different nation-states. These human rights watch organizations affect the political environment of nation-states; hence, they are relevant to the world politics. Other non-state actors use terrorism as a way of influencing the international politics. One of the chief factors that lead to the formation of terrorist groups is the need to publicize the grievances of some individuals. Terrorists have gone global just like any other non-state actor. Some strong states use state-terrorism to air the views of the powerless. Terrorism influences the world politics since terrorists can use actions such as hijacking of planes and civilians to change a policy of a nation-state. Conclusion Although some individuals argue that non-state actors have no relevance to the world politics, the non-state actors are still relevant to the international politics. The non-state actors significantly influence the politics of nation-states; and hence, the world politics. The non-state actors influence the international politics through various ways. Global problems such as wars and emerging conflicts lead to nation-state relying on the non-state actors for solutions. The non-state actors influence the making of decisions by nation-states, which seek to find solutions to emerging problems. IGOs and NGOs are the two main categories of non-state actors, which influence the political situations of the world. Terrorism groups as non-state actors influence the politics of nation-states through causing fear to those in power. Terrorism has become a global problem, which influences the world politics. Hence, through the roles played by the non-state actors all over the world, it is clear that the non-state actors are remarkably relevant to world politics. Word Count: 1847 words. Reference List: Brown, S 1995, New Forces, Old Forces, and the Future of World Politics. Post-Cold War Edition, Harper Collins College Publishers, New York. P 54-59. Bennet, J 1994, Global Dreams: Imperial Corporations and the New World order, Simon and Schuster, New York. P 42-45. Clark, C & Chan, S 1995, MNCs and Developmentalism, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. P 97-102. Carnoy, M 1993, Multinationals in a Changing World Economy, Pennsylvania State University Press, University Park. P 103-105. Donelly, J 1994, Human Rights and International Organizations, Harper Collins Publishers, New York. P 66-80. Karns, M 1990, The United States and Multilateral Institutions, Unwin Hyman, Boston. P 52-54. Kegley, W 1997, World Politics: Trends and Transformations, St. Martins Press, New York. P 65-68. Kegley, W 1995, The Global Agenda: Issues and Perspectives, McGraw-Hill, New York. P 40-42. Keohane, O 1984, After Hegemony: Cooperation and Discord in the World Political Economy, Princeton University Press, Princeton. P 55- 57. Olson, R 1994, The Kurdish Question and the Kurdish Problem, University of Kentucky Press, Lexington. P 78-81. Read More