State-Centric Model

Definition

The state-centric model is a framework that places the state, or national government, at the center of international relations and decision-making. It emphasizes the primacy of sovereign states as the primary actors in global affairs, with states being the dominant and most influential entities in the international system.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The state-centric model views states as the primary and most influential actors in international relations, with their national interests and security concerns being the driving forces behind their actions.
2. This model emphasizes the importance of state sovereignty, which grants states the exclusive right to exercise political authority within their territorial boundaries.
3. The state-centric model is closely associated with the realist school of thought in international relations, which focuses on the pursuit of power and national interests as the key determinants of state behavior.
4. The Westphalian system, which emerged after the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, is considered the foundation of the state-centric model, as it established the modern concept of the sovereign nation-state as the primary unit of global politics.
5. The state-centric model has been challenged by the rise of non-state actors, such as international organizations, multinational corporations, and transnational social movements, which have gained increasing influence in global affairs.

Review Questions

• Explain how the state-centric model views the role of states in international relations.
  • According to the state-centric model, states are the primary and most influential actors in the international system. This model emphasizes the importance of state sovereignty, which grants states the exclusive right to exercise political authority within their territorial boundaries. States are seen as the key decision-makers in global affairs, with their national interests and security concerns being the driving forces behind their actions. The state-centric model is closely associated with the realist school of thought, which focuses on the pursuit of power and national interests as the key determinants of state behavior.
• Describe the historical context that led to the emergence of the state-centric model.
  • The state-centric model is rooted in the Westphalian system, which emerged after the Peace of Westphalia in 1648. This system established the modern concept of the sovereign nation-state as the primary unit of global politics. The Westphalian system granted states the exclusive right to exercise political authority within their territorial boundaries, and this principle of state sovereignty became the foundation of the state-centric model. The realist school of thought, which emphasizes the importance of power and national interests, also contributed to the development of the state-centric model as the dominant framework for understanding international relations.
• Analyze the challenges to the state-centric model posed by the rise of non-state actors in global affairs.
  • The state-centric model has been challenged by the increasing influence of non-state actors, such as international organizations, multinational corporations, and transnational social movements, in global affairs. These non-state actors have gained significant power and influence, challenging the primacy of states as the sole decision-makers in the international system. The rise of these non-state actors has led to a more complex and interconnected global landscape, where states must navigate and negotiate with a diverse array of actors with competing interests and agendas. This has prompted scholars to re-examine the state-centric model and consider alternative frameworks that better account for the growing influence of non-state actors in shaping international relations and global governance.

Related terms

Sovereignty:

The exclusive right of a state to exercise supreme political authority within its territorial borders and over its population.

Realism:

A theory of international relations that emphasizes the importance of power, security, and national interests as the driving forces behind state behavior in the international system.

Westphalian System: The international system that emerged after the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, which established the modern concept of the sovereign nation-state as the primary unit of global politics.