9.1 International society

International society emerged in Europe as a response to the challenges of sovereign states and the decline of medieval order. It developed through treaties and agreements, establishing principles like state sovereignty and non-intervention.

Key principles include sovereignty, non-intervention, and diplomacy. International law and great powers play crucial roles in shaping norms and institutions. The English School debates the nature of international society, while globalization and non-state actors pose challenges.

Origins of international society

• Emerged in Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries as a response to the challenges posed by the emergence of sovereign states and the decline of the medieval order
• Developed through a series of treaties and agreements, such as the Peace of Westphalia (1648), which established the principle of state sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of other states
• Shaped by the ideas of thinkers such as Hugo Grotius, who argued for the existence of a natural law that governed the behavior of states and the importance of diplomacy in managing international relations

Key principles of international society

Sovereignty vs non-intervention

Top images from around the web for Sovereignty vs non-intervention

• 

  Government Intervention | OER Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Foreign Policy: Approaches | United States Government View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Economic Sanctions | All About World Politics View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Government Intervention | OER Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Foreign Policy: Approaches | United States Government View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Sovereignty vs non-intervention

• 

  Government Intervention | OER Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Foreign Policy: Approaches | United States Government View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Economic Sanctions | All About World Politics View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Government Intervention | OER Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Foreign Policy: Approaches | United States Government View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Sovereignty refers to the supreme authority of a state within its own borders and its independence from outside interference
  • States have the right to govern their own affairs without external intervention
• Non-intervention is the principle that states should not interfere in the internal affairs of other states
  • Respects the sovereignty and autonomy of individual states
• Tension between these two principles arises when states violate the sovereignty of others through intervention (military action, economic sanctions)

Diplomacy in international society

• Diplomacy is the practice of conducting negotiations and maintaining relations between states through official representatives (ambassadors, envoys)
• Plays a crucial role in managing conflicts, promoting cooperation, and upholding the norms and rules of international society
• Involves a range of activities, including negotiation, mediation, and the exchange of information
• Relies on the principle of reciprocity, where states extend diplomatic recognition and privileges to each other on a mutual basis

Institutions in international society

Role of international law

• International law is the set of rules and principles that govern the behavior of states and other actors in the international system
• Provides a framework for the peaceful resolution of disputes and the promotion of common interests
• Includes treaties, conventions, and customary practices that have been accepted by states as binding
• Enforcement of international law remains a challenge, as there is no central authority to compel compliance

Importance of great powers

• Great powers are states that possess significant military, economic, and political influence in the international system (United States, China, Russia)
• Play a key role in shaping the norms and institutions of international society
• Often act as guarantors of international order, using their power to maintain stability and promote their interests
• Can also pose challenges to international society when they pursue their own interests at the expense of others or violate established norms

English School perspective

Pluralist vs solidarist debate

• The English School is a theoretical approach that emphasizes the role of norms, rules, and institutions in shaping international relations
• Pluralists view international society as a loose association of sovereign states that cooperate based on shared interests while maintaining their independence
  • Prioritize the principle of non-intervention and the preservation of state sovereignty
• Solidarists argue for a more integrated international society based on shared values and a commitment to human rights and justice
  • Advocate for greater cooperation and intervention to address global challenges and promote the common good
• Debate reflects the tension between the competing demands of sovereignty and the pursuit of shared goals in international society

Challenges to international society

Impact of globalization

• Globalization refers to the increasing interconnectedness of the world through the flow of goods, people, ideas, and capital across borders
• Challenges the traditional state-centric model of international society by empowering non-state actors (multinational corporations, NGOs) and creating new forms of global governance
• Creates new opportunities for cooperation and the pursuit of common interests, but also generates new sources of conflict and inequality
• Raises questions about the ability of states to control their own affairs and the legitimacy of international institutions in a globalized world

Rise of non-state actors

• Non-state actors are entities that operate across borders and have the capacity to influence international relations (terrorist groups, civil society organizations)
• Challenge the monopoly of states on the use of force and the control of information and resources
• Can act as partners or rivals to states in addressing global challenges such as climate change, poverty, and human rights
• Raise questions about the accountability and legitimacy of non-state actors in international society and the need for new forms of global governance

Future of international society

Prospects for global governance

• Global governance refers to the collective management of common problems at the international level through the cooperation of states, international organizations, and non-state actors
• Involves the development of new norms, rules, and institutions to address global challenges such as climate change, pandemics, and economic instability
• Requires the willingness of states to cede some of their sovereignty and autonomy in pursuit of shared goals and the common good
• Faces challenges such as the unequal distribution of power and resources, the lack of accountability and legitimacy, and the resistance of some states to external interference

Potential for world society

• World society refers to a more integrated and harmonious global community based on shared values, norms, and institutions
• Envisions a world where states and non-state actors cooperate to address common challenges and promote the well-being of all people
• Requires a fundamental transformation of the current international system, including the reform of global institutions, the promotion of human rights and democracy, and the reduction of inequality and conflict
• Faces significant obstacles, including the persistence of national identities and interests, the resistance of powerful states to change, and the complexity of global problems