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Intro to International Relations
Table of Contents
Unit 3 Overview: International System: States & Power Dynamics
3.1 The Westphalian System and State Sovereignty
3.2 Balance of Power and Polarity in International Relations
3.3 Hegemony and Power Transition Theory

The Westphalian System, born from the 1648 Peace of Westphalia, reshaped international relations. It established the concept of sovereign states with defined borders and non-intervention principles, laying the groundwork for modern diplomacy and international law.

State sovereignty grants nations supreme authority over internal affairs and the right to conduct foreign relations. However, globalization, transnational issues, and international organizations increasingly challenge traditional notions of state autonomy in our interconnected world.

Foundations of the Westphalian System

Origins and Key Concepts

  • Westphalian sovereignty emerged from the 1648 Peace of Westphalia, establishing the principle of territorial integrity
  • Treaty of Westphalia ended the Thirty Years' War in Europe, marking a shift from feudal systems to sovereign states
  • Nation-state concept developed as a political entity with defined borders and a centralized government
  • Territorial integrity ensures states have control over their defined geographic areas
  • Non-intervention principle prohibits external interference in a state's domestic affairs

Evolution of the Westphalian System

  • System gradually replaced the hierarchical structure of the Holy Roman Empire
  • Recognized the autonomy of individual states within the international system
  • Established the basis for modern international relations and diplomacy
  • Promoted the idea of balance of power among European states
  • Influenced the development of international law and state sovereignty concepts

Principles of State Sovereignty

Core Components of Sovereignty

  • Sovereign equality dictates all states have equal rights and duties regardless of size or power
  • Internal sovereignty grants states supreme authority over domestic affairs within their borders
  • External sovereignty allows states to conduct foreign relations and enter international agreements
  • Legitimacy stems from recognition by other states and international organizations
  • Self-determination enables people to choose their own form of government and political status

Practical Applications of Sovereignty

  • States exercise control over their natural resources and economic policies
  • Sovereign states maintain their own legal systems and enforce laws within their territories
  • International treaties and agreements require voluntary participation by sovereign states
  • States have the right to defend themselves against external threats (Article 51 of the UN Charter)
  • Sovereignty allows states to issue currency, collect taxes, and provide public services

Challenges to State Sovereignty

Recognition and Legitimacy Issues

  • International recognition crucial for a state's ability to engage in diplomatic relations
  • De facto sovereignty refers to actual control over territory and population
  • De jure sovereignty involves legal recognition by other states and international bodies
  • Disputed territories (Western Sahara) challenge traditional notions of sovereignty
  • Unrecognized states (Somaliland) struggle to participate in international affairs

Global Pressures on State Sovereignty

  • Globalization challenges state control over economic policies and cultural influences
  • Transnational issues (climate change, terrorism) require collective action beyond individual state capacities
  • International organizations (UN, EU) create supranational frameworks that can limit state autonomy
  • Human rights concerns sometimes justify humanitarian interventions, conflicting with non-intervention principles
  • Technological advancements (internet, cryptocurrencies) bypass traditional state control mechanisms

Key Terms to Review (24)

Balance of Power: The balance of power is a fundamental principle in international relations where power is distributed among multiple states to prevent any one state from becoming too dominant. This concept influences diplomatic strategies, alliances, and conflicts as states seek to maintain stability and avoid hegemony by countering potential aggressors through various means.
Humanitarian Interventions: Humanitarian interventions are actions taken by countries or international organizations to prevent or stop human rights violations, typically involving the use of military force. These interventions aim to protect civilians from atrocities such as genocide, ethnic cleansing, or war crimes, raising questions about the balance between state sovereignty and the international responsibility to protect vulnerable populations.
Disputed Territories: Disputed territories are regions claimed by two or more states, leading to conflicts over sovereignty and governance. These areas often arise from historical grievances, colonial legacies, or ethnic divisions, and their status can significantly affect international relations. Disputed territories challenge the concept of state sovereignty as they raise questions about territorial integrity and self-determination of peoples.
Legitimacy: Legitimacy refers to the recognized right of an authority, often a state or governing body, to exercise power and govern. It is crucial for maintaining order and compliance among the governed, as it influences how people perceive authority and its rules. In international relations, legitimacy affects not only domestic governance but also the interactions between states and the broader global community.
De facto sovereignty: De facto sovereignty refers to the actual possession and exercise of power by a state or political entity, even if it lacks legal recognition or legitimacy from other states or international organizations. This type of sovereignty emphasizes practical control over territory and governance rather than the formal recognition that characterizes de jure sovereignty. De facto sovereignty often arises in situations of contested authority, where a group or regime maintains control despite lacking formal acknowledgment as a legitimate state.
External Sovereignty: External sovereignty refers to the recognition and respect of a state's authority and independence by other states in the international system. This concept is central to the Westphalian model, which established the principle of state sovereignty as a foundational element in international relations, emphasizing that states are equal entities with the right to govern themselves without outside interference. The recognition of external sovereignty is crucial for states to engage in diplomacy, trade, and treaties, as it legitimizes their actions and interactions on the global stage.
Transnational issues: Transnational issues are problems that extend beyond national borders and cannot be effectively addressed by any single country alone. These challenges often require collective action from multiple nations and may include topics like climate change, terrorism, human trafficking, and global health crises. The complexity of transnational issues highlights the interconnectedness of countries in a globalized world and challenges traditional notions of state sovereignty.
De jure sovereignty: De jure sovereignty refers to the legal and recognized authority of a state to govern itself and make decisions independently, without external interference. This concept emphasizes the formal and lawful status of a state's power, rooted in international law and recognized by other states. It plays a crucial role in understanding how states interact within the framework of the Westphalian system, which established the principles of territorial integrity and non-interference.
Self-determination: Self-determination is the principle that allows nations and peoples to determine their own political status and pursue their economic, social, and cultural development. This concept is crucial in understanding how state sovereignty is framed, as it emphasizes the rights of distinct groups to govern themselves, free from external interference, and highlights the balance between collective rights and individual state sovereignty.
Unrecognized States: Unrecognized states are entities that have declared independence and established a functioning government but are not widely recognized as sovereign nations by other states or international organizations. These entities often exist in a state of limbo, struggling for legitimacy and the rights associated with statehood while navigating complex geopolitical landscapes that may hinder their recognition.
Sovereign Equality: Sovereign equality is the principle that all states are equal in terms of their legal rights and obligations in the international system, regardless of their size, power, or wealth. This concept underpins the idea that no state has authority over another and emphasizes the importance of respect for national sovereignty, fostering cooperation and dialogue among nations.
Internal sovereignty: Internal sovereignty refers to the supreme authority of a state to govern itself without interference from external actors. It encompasses the ability of a state to create and enforce laws, maintain order, and regulate affairs within its own borders, distinguishing it from external sovereignty, which concerns recognition and relations with other states. This concept is foundational to understanding the Westphalian system, which emphasizes the autonomy of states in their domestic matters.
Non-intervention: Non-intervention refers to the principle that nations should refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of other states. This concept is closely tied to the respect for state sovereignty and the idea that each state has the right to govern itself without external influence. Non-intervention plays a critical role in maintaining international peace, as it upholds the boundaries of national sovereignty while also raising questions about humanitarian interventions and global responsibilities.
State Sovereignty: State sovereignty refers to the concept that a state has the ultimate authority and independence to govern itself without external interference. This principle is foundational to international relations, emphasizing the right of states to control their own territory, make their own laws, and engage in diplomatic relations. State sovereignty is closely tied to the notion of territorial integrity and is a key principle in the structure of the international system, shaping interactions between states and influencing the development of international law.
International Law: International law refers to a body of rules and principles that govern the relations and conduct of states and other international actors. It plays a crucial role in maintaining order and justice in the global arena, establishing norms for state behavior, and addressing issues that transcend national borders. This legal framework is essential for upholding state sovereignty while facilitating cooperation among nations, especially in an increasingly interconnected world.
Defined Borders: Defined borders are the clearly established and recognized boundaries that delineate the territorial limits of a state or political entity. These borders are critical in the context of the Westphalian system, as they represent the principle of state sovereignty, where each state has exclusive authority over its territory and the people within it.
Nation-state: A nation-state is a political entity characterized by a defined territory, a permanent population, a stable government, and the ability to enter into relations with other states. It combines the concepts of 'nation' and 'state', where a nation refers to a group of people who share common cultural, ethnic, or linguistic traits, while the state refers to the political and legal structures that govern them. The emergence of the nation-state system marked a significant shift in international relations, particularly following the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, which established principles of state sovereignty and non-interference.
Centralized government: A centralized government is a political structure in which the main authority and decision-making powers are concentrated in a central organization or agency, rather than being distributed among local entities. This system allows for uniform policies and regulations across the entire state, promoting stability and coherence in governance, particularly in the context of state sovereignty. Centralized governments often emerge in response to the need for strong control and coordination in newly formed states following significant historical events.
Territorial integrity: Territorial integrity refers to the principle under international law that a state has the right to defend its territorial borders against external aggression and maintain its sovereignty over its land. This concept is closely tied to the idea of state sovereignty, emphasizing that states must respect each other's territorial boundaries and not engage in acts that threaten the stability and integrity of another state's territory.
Thirty Years' War: The Thirty Years' War was a destructive conflict that lasted from 1618 to 1648, primarily taking place in the Holy Roman Empire, involving a mix of religious and political struggles among various European powers. This war marked a significant turning point in European history, as it led to the decline of religious influence in state affairs and the emergence of a new system of sovereign states, which ultimately contributed to the formation of the Westphalian system.
Westphalian Sovereignty: Westphalian sovereignty refers to the principle of absolute and inviolable territorial integrity and political independence of states, established by the Peace of Westphalia in 1648. This concept emphasizes that each state has the right to govern itself without outside interference, laying the groundwork for the modern international system of states. It marked a shift from feudal allegiances to the recognition of nation-states as the primary actors in global politics.
Peace of Westphalia: The Peace of Westphalia refers to a series of treaties signed in 1648 that ended the Thirty Years' War in Europe. This agreement marked a significant turning point in international relations by establishing the principles of state sovereignty and non-interference, laying the groundwork for the modern international system of independent nation-states.
International organizations: International organizations are entities created by multiple countries to facilitate cooperation and collaboration on various global issues. They play a crucial role in promoting peace, security, and development by providing a platform for dialogue, negotiation, and collective action among member states. These organizations can take various forms, such as intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, or regional entities, and are vital for addressing challenges that transcend national borders.
Globalization: Globalization is the process by which businesses, cultures, and economies become interconnected and interdependent on a global scale. This phenomenon has transformed the way nations interact, influencing trade, finance, and the movement of people, ideas, and goods across borders. It has significant implications for state sovereignty, economic practices, and the dynamics of multinational corporations.