The State of the International System - Term Paper Example

Section/# The of the International System It is quite evident that a of near perpetual flux exists withrespect to the international system. This of course makes it extraordinarily difficult and dangerous to offer wide platitudes in terms of the general trajectory or trends that are currently exhibited and established. However, regardless of the vast differential between the haves and have-nots, regardless of the many different styles of governance that are exhibited, the wide level of differentiation between international law, and/or many other elements of dissimilarity that are currently exhibited, it is fair to assert that the current international system is one that is increasingly “liberal, capitalist, stable, and rich”. It is necessary to note that even though these trends indicate that a certain outcome is inevitable in the future, the analysis should not be taken as historical proof for such an eventuality. Instead, the unique dynamics that are being represented, co-opted, and engaged throughout the world are worthy of analysis in and of themselves; regardless of what future trends they might promote or consequently established. In terms of tracing the validity of the above statement, it is necessary to break it down to its fundamental elements. Firstly, the statement illustrates that the current system is one that is increasingly liberal. What is meant by this is not necessarily have to do with the differential between liberal and sectarian politics as compared to more conservative politics. Instead, it has to do with the interpretation that democratic forms of governance are essentially the most beneficial in attempting to meet the needs of all stakeholders in a roughly equivalent manner. Whereas the current global system is one that is truly increasingly liberal, this trend did not originate over the past several decades; instead, it originated with Renaissance thinking and the great enlightenment. As a function of these two occurrences, individual philosophers and thinkers within Europe, as well as the United States, came to view the existing establishment as non-representative of an ethical approach to government. As the aging empires of Europe slowly begin to lose ground to what was that “radical” ideas, the wellspring of democracy began to take root throughout much of the world. Essentially, the text illustrates that the ideas and interpretations of Democratic governance and self rule or established within this period of time; and have subsequently been promoted to an increased level and degree in the intervening years. Although it might be convenient to draw a level of comparison and contrast to the liberal ideas that are currently being represented throughout the international system as compared to the difficulties and governments that were experienced only a handful of years ago, the origin of these ideas do not belong to the 19th century; instead, they can be traced as far back as the philosophical movements of post Middle Ages Europe. An additional Ellis of the current global system is one that is increasingly defined by the economic system and philosophy of capitalism. In much the same way that liberal ideology gave rise to the systems of governance that are currently represented throughout much of the world, the economic system of capitalism is one that has essentially evolved and developed over a very long historical time period. Centralized economies, mercantile economies, and eventually capitalist economies are indicative of only some of the transitional stages that having been experienced thus far. However, the level of comparison and contrast that capitalism has to liberal ideology cannot go without mention. Says the text concerning the birth of capitalism and its role within the current era: “Capitalism is strongly associated with features of modernity; such as the development of modern states, modern corporations, science, and secularism. Capitalism thoroughly transformed the system of states into which it was born by reinforcing its political fragmentation into nation states and creating a global -process of uneven development” (DD313 139- 140). It is of course impossible to discuss any level of liberalization, capitalism, stability, or wealth without analyzing the impact that globalization has upon transforming the current model of international relations and international finance. Essentially, since the end of the Second World War, United States has played a pivotal and fundamental role in transforming the world. In much the same way that the former British Empire was able to establish itself as a preeminent superpower, the United States utilized trade and economic development as a means of engaging partnerships throughout much of the world and increasing the rate to which globalization came to define the international system (DD313 181). However, apart from merely a level of financial similarity, globalization also played a powerful role in transforming governments and establishing liberal democracies in places that would otherwise have maintained a far different approach to governance. In as much, the United States and its partners, those most directly involved in globalization and trade, were able to promote democratic forms of governance and self-determination by means of the process of globalization and the degree and extent to which individuals in different parts of the world wish to mirror the development of their neighbors. Further, in terms of defining the current system, it is generally argued that apart from some of the more notable conflicts of the past several years, the current system is one that is extraordinarily stable; as compared to any other time period in human history. Once again, a means of understanding this can be applied to the liberal democratic governments that have proliferated global affairs over the past few years. Whereas it is true that totalitarian regimes no doubt still exist, their overall representation in terms of percentages is much decreased as compared to only 50 years ago. Additionally, political science has promoted what is known as the “democratic peace theory”. Within this particular interpretation of international affairs and relations, the individual analyst understands that conflict between states, resulting in war, is decreased as more and more of these states represent democratic forms of governance (Khasbulatov 167). Naturally, this involves espousing liberal ideas, elements of capitalism and free enterprise; culminating in an increased level of stability and peace. Within this “democratic peace theory”, political scientists indicate that nations that espouse liberal democratic forms of government are inherently unlikely to come in conflict with one another. Naturally, the gap within this particular theory is such that it still provides room for nondemocratic nations and democratic nations to engage in conflict. Nevertheless, the ever decreasing overall representations of nondemocratic forms of government throughout the world have created a system of stability in which fewer international disputes rise to the level of open conflict in the field of war. All the elements that have been discussed thus far, to include liberalism, capitalism, and stability all correlate to the increasing interconnectedness that the system is currently exhibiting. However, even though technology and human networks are beyond the scope of the query for this particular analysis, the author would be remiss if not to discuss the impact that increased interconnectivity has with respect to the way in which international system operates (Ivančík et al. 239). Recalling only a few years ago, the analyst can easily note a situation in which the uproar and fury over the self immolation of a young Tunisian set off a social media firestorm; one that officially began what was known as the “Arab Spring”. Whereas human interconnectivity and the power of media has played a prominent role with regard to almost each and every era of human development, it plays an especially important role with respect to the current era; due to the fact that systems of liberalism, democracy, globalization, and other equalizing forces create a dynamic by which separation between peoples and barriers are removed. Rather than viewing the occurrences that might happen to an individual or people groups thousands of miles away as un-concerning, the current dynamic of interconnectivity and globalization creates a situation in which social media and the power of human networking via the utilization of technology has affected an entirely new dynamic (DD313 182). Whereas this does not indicate that the overall level of goodwill or brotherly love has increased within the current era, it does indicate the fact that repressive regimes and systems of governance that are not in keeping with the aforementioned fundamentals of the existing global order are invariably called out, disparaged, and given a great deal of scrutiny within nations that ascribed to the norms which have been discussed. When one compares the current situation of international engagement, economics, government, and other elements, it is clear to even the casual observer that the overall level of wealth that is exhibited now as compared to any other time the past is an order of magnitude higher. The underlying reason for this growth in well has to do with the increased number of individuals that have leveraged entrepreneurship and enterprise as a means of limiting themselves and engaging with the global economy. However, far from supporting the belief that capitalism is an entirely positive force throughout the globe, it should also be noted that the increased levels of wealth that had been experienced by so many individuals over the past several decades are also independent of a system that disproportionately rewards the super rich in favor of the average individual (DD313 274). Invariably, it is true that international organizations and institutions are not living up to their full potential and finding particular instances in which they had failed to secure the peace, promote economic integration, and/or engage with whatever focus they are with, the preponderance of the evidence supports the fact that international institutions remain relevant and should not be disparaged as no longer important within an increasingly interconnected global world. Whereas it is true the global governance is still a statement of the imagination for many institutionalists, the structural changes that had been encouraged, promoted, fostered, and activated by those organizations and institutions that promote such factors have been thoroughly impactful, important, and felt throughout the world. Rather than understanding the global system as existing separately from these institutions, it must be understood that each and every one of the aforementioned institutions has at least in some way effected the decisions and choices that such entities or nation states have made over the course of their decision structure. From the information that has thus far been presented, it is clear and apparent that a fundamental shift has taken place and continues to define the way in which the current global system is exhibited. Within such an understanding, issues of global leadership, hegemony, and the potential for conflict in terms of economic systems or the overall disparity between the haves and the have-nots are the most relevant issues that could threaten to derail the current process that has been exhibited thus far. In his months, the reader can accurately understand the pivotal and fundamental role that liberalism, truest sense, continues to play with respect to the way in which it finds economic, political, and civil rights of individuals around the globe as they strive for greater equality and higher level of self determinism. Works Cited DD313. International Relations: Continuity and Change in Global Politics. Course Packet. 2014 Ivančík, Radoslav, and Pavel Nečas. "The International System From The View Of Security And Stability Aspects." Revista Academiei Fortelor Terestre 17.3 (2012): 236-241. Academic Search Complete. Web. 24 Nov. 2014. Khasbulatov, R. I. "Economic Relations, International (IER):." Value Inquiry Book Series 276.(2014): 165-168. Academic Search Complete. Web. 23 Nov. 2014. Read More