Approaches to Globalisation

Question 1

Liberalism

Answer 1

• Optimistic view as it encourages cooperation an interconnectivity between states.
• Economic globalisation binds states through the same supply chains to prevent conflict.
• Political globalisation encourages cooperation between states and NGOs - issues like nuclear proliferation, climate, terrorism.
• Growth of regionalism challenges the nation-state’s primacy - states must act less egotistically to maximise power.

Question 2

Realism

Answer 2

• Sceptical whether globalisation can challenge the primacy of the state because it is idealistic to believe that states share the same interests due to the anarchic world structure.
• Dangerous to put constraints on the nation state by pooling sovereignty through IGOs and/or agreements (e.g universal human rights as it challenges the Westphallian principles).
• States should advance citizen’s interest in global trade and so are less ideologically committed to free trade than liberals - Trump and his protectionist policies against China.

Question 3

To what extent has globalisation transformed the world: Hyper-globalists

Answer 3

• Creates a revolutionary shift in the structure of global power which ultimately makes the nation state obsolete and creates a borderless world.
• States no longer determine their own future and must work within regional and international economic parameters (possibly leads to a world govt).
• States act as ‘depots’ for global free trade and according to Phillip Bobbit, the state is being ‘hallowed out’.

Question 4

To what extent has globalisation transformed the world: sceptics

Answer 4

• Nation state remains strong and autonomous, refusing to abandon their sovereignity.
• Globalisation has failed to create a global community.
  + COP26 = despite the effects of global warming, countries were still not fully committed - China/India producing the highest emissions and UK re-opening a coal mine after the cost of living and energy crisis.
  + Brexit = the decision to leave was partly due to wanting to protect national borders and prevent the EU eroding the UK’s sovereignty.

Question 5

To what extent has globalisation transformed the world: transformationalists

Answer 5

• Bridge between hyper-globalists and the sceptics.
• Accepts it has significantly impacted the state system through IGOs and NGOs, but the state remains strong in determining its own affairs and it’s consistently adapting.
• Argues globalisation may advance the nation state, for example, China (major manufacturer). The internet is also a vehicle used to promote the nation’s interest and their ideology rather than creating a monoculture (Russian nationalism and Bollywood).