International Relations Theory

 
International Relations Theory 2
Introduction
The historical relationship between capital and power in shaping the state is still present
today in the context of globalisation, which jeopardises the sovereignty of States as legally
determined capacity. In this respect, the theory of globalisation can be raised as a witnessing
phase out of the sovereign power of the State, or the establishment of a minimum sovereignty.
Therefore, the challenge for the theory of the state is a critical review of the current concept of
sovereignty in the context of globalisation theory. Historically the state has raised the crucial
relationship between capital and power settings for nation - states. Relationship is now in the
context of globalisation that continues to act and shape, not only the state but also and decisively
to the traditional concept of sovereignty. Thus, sovereignty, understood from the idea of an
exclusive political power and exclusive of other powers capable of self-regulation, receives
major modifications that raise the need for a substantial change in the traditional theory of the
state. This paper presents a detail analysis of the relationship between globalisation and
sovereignty.
The modern nation-state is guided by the following four principles: territorial
sovereignty, official equality of States, non-intervention in the domestic affairs of other States
and consent of the new states as the basis of international legal obligations. National sovereignty
thus implies the right to rule over a limited territory and exercising political authority within a
community that has the right to determine the structure of the legal system, its rules and policies,
as well as to rule pursuant thereto. Under this view, known as "liberal legal monism", the
formation of law is central in the state as sole author of law. Nevertheless, the traditional concept
of nation-state and the principles that guide their actions have been challenged by the set of
economic, political, cultural and social we call globalisation. The sovereignty of states has been 
International Relations Theory 3
transformed and sources with capacity and legitimacy to create the right have multiplied. The
nation-state no longer seems to be the only entity that concentrates political power in a country
and legal (Kaldor, 2003).
Discussion
"The relationship between globalisation and the state has become a matter for intense
debate over the past two decades. The first notice of this relationship, which to some extent
remain dominant view that globalisation undermines the autonomy of the state. According to this
perception, the state would become totally helpless and completely enslaved to the capitalist
world economy. Not only the global economy work without any state control, but resistance to
globalisation is also considered futile and even harmful to the economic well-being and social
development of the nation. To thrive or even survive, States should accept this reality and
position themselves accordingly. According to Kenichi Ohmae (1995) says as the nation states
continue to see themselves as key drivers of economic affairs, and they resist - in the name of
national interest - to any erosion of central government considered a threat to sovereignty -
neither they nor the public can fully benefit from the resources of the global economy. This is not
the road to prosperity and a better quality of life.
This perspective reduces the globalisation phenomenon mainly economic, loosely
controlled by capital, including investments supporting transnational production as well as
numerous financial flows. But globalisation is much more than just economic strength. It is
multidimensional in its economic, political, security, cultural and environmental. This broader
concept of globalisation refers to the idea that there is an international order in which the allpowerful state autonomy is greatly reduced. According to David Held (N.A), globalisation 
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means at the same time the emergence of a global economic system beyond the control of a
single state (even dominant states), the expansion of transnational links and networks of
communication which individual states have little influence, the enormous growth of the
international organisation may limit the range of the most commanding states, the growth of a
global military, many processes may reduce the range of policies available to governments and
their citizens.
According to this perspective, the main attribute of the nation state: sovereignty becomes
the major casualty of globalisation. It is known that the modern concept of "state sovereignty"
back to the Treaty of Westphalia (1648) and it includes aspects of both internal and external
(Wolf, 2001). On the one hand, it implies the autonomy of the state, especially the right not to
recognise an authority that transcends, and the other, it is recognised by other states prec 


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