Meaning and Development of the Westphalian World System, Term Paper Example

Sovereign states

The concept of sovereign states is a widely applicable tool in the understanding of global politics. It entails two concepts that have been bundled together, i.e. “sovereign” and the “state”. (Joseph 43). It is widely acceptable that, the state plays a crucial role in international systems. A state involves a specific form of political unit with two distinctive features namely sovereignty and territoriality (Osiander, 251–287).Territoriality entails the powers of the state in governing distinctive and identifiable section of a global surface while sovereignty entails the absolute right f governing that particular section. In most scenarios, the word country is often used as a synonym to state with regard to global politics (Joseph 44). The world nation is also used to serve the same meaning but the true concept of a nation is people who share some common culture, history, language,, destiny, identity, religion and mythology (Joseph 44). The sovereignty of the state denies any other state the powers of submission. Different states across the globe have adopted divergent political systems with their sovereignty in varied locations. The traditional monarchies governed by the kings and queens have their sovereignty that empowers them to exercise supreme powers over their territories. On the other hand, the democratic states have elected representatives who exercise powers on the basis of delegated by the people (Joseph 44).

Balance of power

All states exhibit power aspirations that entail maintenance of the status quo or its overthrowing. This consequently results to a configuration of balance of power as well as policies of its preservation (Henry, 179 -184). People are commonly associated with making choices between the power politics and the indispensable outgrowth in the balance of power and a divergent enhanced form of international relations. The foreign policy taken from the perspective of the balance of power is a crucial potential foreign policy in which case only the evil people may opt for the former and discard the latter (Jackson & Owens, 53). In the perspective of several science disciplines such as economics, physics, sociology, biology and political science, the concept ‘balance’ is used as a synonym of ‘equilibrium’ (Henry, 179 -184). The implication of balance in this context is stability of a system that comprises several autonomous forces. In case a state of equilibrium is disturbed by a change or a force from outside the system, the system attempts to reestablish the original state or form a new equilibrium.

Balance of power theory

The central theme in the theory of balance of power is improvements in national security on effective distribution of the military capabilities in such a manner that one of the states has sufficient strength of dominating all others. On condition that one of the states has inordinate power, it is likely to attack the weaker states in the neighborhood which is consequential to offering of incentives t the threatened states to unite and form a defensive coalition. According to the notion of realists, this situation is likely to result to a greater stability because of unattractiveness of aggression which is likely to be warded off through equilibrium of power involving the rival coalitions. Any external threat to a state is likely to result to a bandwagon or a balance. Balancing entails seeking support from others to counter the imminent threat while bandwagon entails efforts of alignment to the source of threat. Other alliance tactics are also possible including chain-ganging or buck-passing. Realists have attempted to explain the influence of system polarity on the tactics employed by states. Scholars in international relations including the constructivists have explained the theory of balance of power with significant disparity in opinion against the realists concerning international systems as well as the states behaviors.

 Westphalian world system

The implication of Westphalian world system is a principle in international law that offer sovereign powers to every state over the domestic affairs of its territory. This is considered in regard of an exclusion of any external influence on the basis of non-interference principle in the domestic affairs of the country and the equality of the country as guided by the international law. The Westphalian world system is based on Peace of Westphalia, a doctrine that was responsible for termination of war that involved the powerful continental states of France, Spain, Sweden, the Dutch Republic and the Roman Empire in 1648. The signing of the doctrine paved way for an agreement that the countries respect the territorial integrity of one another. With subsequent proliferation of the European influence on other parts of the world, the principles of Westphalia including the sovereign states was embraced as a core concept in international law and the world order (Sheehan, 35).

 Criticism to Westphalian world system

The Westphalian world system gained universal acceptance and respect. However, the societies encountered considerable changes that necessitated a critique to the Westphalian world system. A number of fields at current have challenged the Westphalian world system which includes the global economy, international security and the humanitarian security. The role played by the Westphalian world system in contemporary society however cannot be underestimated but significant adjustments have been recommended so that it can effectively address the contemporary needs of the society. The concept of sovereignty is associated with universal acceptance ((Wohlforth, Little &  Kaufman, 155–185). Every country is entitled to rights of self governance that is a crucial cornerstone in interstate peace. The state offers undisputed privileges of independent decision making. This facilitates the choice of best options for the citizens which leads to political, economic and social development. Any other state, irrespective of her power, has no right over the sovereign state. The concept of autonomy protects the weaker countries against exploitation by stronger nations to achieve their ends and means. Majority of leaders, more so in the nations of the Middle East and Asia, express their support to non-interference and self-determination principles with regard to cultural as well as political influences. This scenario confers powers to such countries to isolate their governments from other global political systems thus antagonizing the long term gains associated with international cooperation. This is the reason behind the prevalence of isolationist tendency in the foreign policy of America as explained by Henry Kissinger (Henry, 29-32). This led to the projection of two crucial factors by Americans namely rapid expansion of power and gradual collapse in international system that was based in Europe.

Global emergency of super powers

Henry Kissinger also mentions the emergence of a country with more powers than others at every century in explanation of the new world order (Henry, 18). The powerful country is usually associated with a moral and intellectual impetus to influence the international system in totality on the basis of the values it holds dear.

Works cited

Henry Kissinger. The Hinge. Kissinger_Diplomacy_Chapter2-pdf May 16, 2015. 29-32

Henry Kissinger. The Main Patterns of the Balance of Power Morgenthau+-+Balance of Power pdf May 16, 2015.

Jackson, R.H.& Owens, P. The Evolution of World Society. Oxford: O U P, 2005.

Joseph S. Nye, Jr. understanding Global Conflict and Cooperation. Pearson Education Inc. 2013.

Mearsheimer, John. The Tragedy of Great Power Politics, N Y: Norton, pp. 139–161, 2001.

Osiander, Andreas “Sovereignty, International Relations, and the Westphalian Myth”, International Organization 55 (2): 251–287, 2001.

Sheehan, Michael. The Balance of Power: History & Theory, Routledge, 2000.

Wohlforth, W.C., Little, &  Kaufman, S.J. “Testing Balance-Of-Power Theory in World History”, European Journal of International Relations 13: 155–185, 2007.