The State and Globalisation Flashcards
Characteristics of a nation
Group who self-identify as belonging together, may have characteristics in common like language, culture, religion, ethnicity etc. Does not always have a state for example the Kurds.
Characteristics of a state
Specific political entity that has 1) functioning government 2) defined territory 3) recognition and 4) permanent population. (2) causes many conflicts eg in Palestine, or South China Sea.
What is a nation-state?
Nation with a state that therefore gains authority and legitimacy and is based on self-determination. UN currently recognises 193.
Problems of nations without states
Some are less contested, Scottish independence referendum 2014 demonstrate their right to determine own future, more controversial in Spain with Basque and Catalan populations, some turn to violence such as the Basque ETA. Kurdish people are largest nation without state, but territory they claim already with sovereign states who are unwilling to set that precedent.
Define national-sovereignty
Absolute and unlimited power and authority that the state has over its citizens
Origins and application of national-sovereignty
Laid out in the Treaty of Westphalia 1648, some it is easy to locate sovereignty such as UK parliament, however in the US it is federal so harder to locate. Most democracies could also be said to have ‘popular sovereignty’. Globalisation calls into question national-sovereignty as each state is affected by those around them.
Define globalisation
Emergence of a complex web of interconnectedness in many forms
Factors driving globalisation
People, countries, institutions, culture, economics, technology, and politics.
How do people drive globalisation?
People form global connections and emigrate due to low costs of communication and travel, around 30% of total population of Australia are migrants. Growth in international tourism.
How do institutions drive globalisation?
Scale of IGOs has increased since the end of WW2, like the UN and NATO, they facilitate discussion between states for collective action. NGOs have risen to estimated 6000 in 2000, and are very wide ranging.
How does culture drive globalisation?
Increasingly cultural commodities are consumed in all states, brands are internationally available like McDonald’s, linked to advances in information technology. Linked is spread of Western values like democracy.
Criticisms of cultural globalisation
Cultural ‘flattening out’ seen by some as Americanisation, Westernisation and Imperialism. Homogenisation seen to have no diversity or dissension and negative for the environment, local traditions, and people who are manipulated.
How do economics drive globalisation?
Bretton Woods economic system introduced after WW2 to encourage trade and stability, prompted boom until the 1970s in the West. Post 1970s, floating exchange rates mean greater competition and growth in TNC investment. Linked to technology advancements, and state decisions to follow cooperation and free trade. Over $5 trillion traded internationally each day.
How does technology drive globalisation?
Reduction in importance of time and space, more mobile phones that people, estimated 40% of people have access to the internet. Significant use of social media eg Arab Spring use of Facebook.
How do IGOs encourage globalisation?
States engaging with global governance to address collective problems, encourages globalisation by states pooling their sovereignty.
