Feeling ambitious? What about getting your teeth stuck into understanding politics on a global scale!
World politics covers a whole expanse of exciting political topics such as regionalism, globalisation, and human rights, to name just a few. Much of the content matter will be familiar to you, with political crises, nuclear threats, and wars all featuring in your typical Hollywood action or thriller.
To get you started, it's important to explore some of the key features which make up our international systems such as nation-states and the role of international organisations such as the United Nations.
The difference between international relations and world politics
Global politics (which is also known as world politics) is the study of political and environmental relationships in the world. As the world increases in interconnectedness, it is imperative that we explore its significance.
It is important to note that global politics is not the same as international relations. International relations is the study of the relationship and interplay between different nations including economic and social relationships. International relations make up one aspect of global politics.
The term global politics may seem like a large topic to wrap your head around. After all, we are talking about politics on a global scale. There are multiple features that make up global politics. Therefore, to help ground your understanding of global politics, this article will explore just three key areas which will be important topics. These three areas are:
The nation-state.
The globalisation of world politics.
International organisations and global governance.
This overview will help you approach other topic areas related to global politics, such as globalisation or regionalism.
The nation-state
In terms of global politics, the role and influence of nation-states go hand in hand. States are sovereign, governed and represented by a national government of a country. Each nation-state has its own laws, principles and national cultures. These nation-states have a stand-alone influence on global politics, for instance through their use of foreign policy and economic policy they shape the norms and values of our global political system. Additionally, nation-states also play a key role in global politics as member states in international organisations.
Fig. 1 - Map of United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) is an example of a nation-state. The British government (Westminster Parliament) governs four nations: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
This nation-state is a member of groups called G7 and G20, which bring together some of the largest economies in the world. They work together to discuss economic hurdles and in 2021 we saw the G7 agree on a minimum of 15% tax on multinationals who operate in those seven countries.
Power and influence of nation-states
While the UK is just one example of a nation-state that has an influence on the global political system, it is important to note that the level of influence and power over global politics varies on a state by state basis. The perception of power and influence of each nation-state can be determined by a number of indicators. These include:
- Military strength
- Economic stability
- Diplomatic strength
Examining the power and influence of nation-states is particularly important in our study of global politics. This is because the power of a single country on a world scale can influence how other countries are run and possibly affect their sovereignty.
The nation-states which dominate and have the greatest influence over global politics are often described as superpowers.
Superpower
A state that has a leading and heavily influential position in world politics.
Superpowers that have a dominant and influential position globally usually use a mix of hard and soft power. Hard power includes military and economic power and soft power includes diplomatic and cultural power. The US, for example, uses a combination of these. So does China, as an emerging superpower.
The Cold War
The Cold War (1947–91) is a significant period of history that had a transformative effect on the global political system. During this period an ideological division between two global superpowers caused geopolitical tension between the capitalist United States, the communist Soviet Union, and their respective allies. It is a historical case study that showcases the power and influence of nation-states via their military strength, economic stability, and diplomatic strength.
Military strength
One key feature of the Cold War was the large-scale nuclear arms race between the US and the Soviet Union (USSR). From 1957, both the US and USSR had access to intercontinental nuclear weapons which made the threat of nuclear attack possible between the two adversaries from across the globe. The threat of nuclear attack had a significant influence on international relations, resulting in diplomatic crises such as the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis and bringing the world extremely close to a large-scale nuclear war.
The effects of the military strength displayed throughout the Cold War have continued to have a lasting impact on our international political system. For instance, following the Cold War, the political support from nation-states for nuclear disarmament and denuclearisation has increased. Today there is a United Nations agency, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, responsible for overseeing this process.
Economic stability
Economic stability and strength had a largescale impact on global politics throughout the Cold War. Economic support from the US and USSR for their respective allies caused large-scale political factions. For instance, in 1948 the US initiated the Marshall Plan, providing $13 billion of economic support to Western European nations to help aid recovery following World War II. In return for the US' economic support, Western European nations were expected to provide political support for the capitalist ideological approach of the US.
Diplomatic strength
Diplomacy and acts of diplomatic strength had an important role to play throughout the Cold War, particularly regarding reducing nuclear stockpiles. An example of this is the Strategic Arms Reduction Talks, negotiations that began in 1982 and were conducted throughout the Cold War.
An agreement was finally reached in 1992 and signed in Lisbon. This treaty sparked the process of nuclear de-escalation which has had a significant impact on our global international system, reducing the threat of nuclear attack and increasing international security.
The globalisation of world politics
When considering global politics, it is important to look beyond simply nation-states and consider which other actors or trends influence the global political system we live in. Globalisation is an example of how non-state actors such as private companies or the behaviours of individuals can impact global politics.
Globalisation
A process that has led to relationships between individuals, companies, and governments throughout the world to become more interconnected.
The process of globalisation is not new and can be identified across human history. However, the scale, speed, and effects of globalisation have dramatically increased over the last 50 years and we will explore this through methods of modern globalisation like global corporations.
Established in 1943, IKEA was founded in Sweden to provide and sell affordable furniture which is easy to assemble as well as other home services. As of 2022, the company operates in more than 501 different markets with nearly 500 stores worldwide. The company calls its furniture in Swedish, their native language, which is presented in all their stores and is a great example of a global corporation.
Globalisation seeks to create and strengthen relationships across the world, increase connectivity and the ability to trade goods and services, and has broken down cultural and trade barriers. But it has also been said to give power to those who are not elected by the citizens of the state which has, in turn, become problematic especially when these un-elected officials disregard local customs.
International organisation in world politics
Finally, international organisations are significant actors in global politics. You may already be familiar with some of the biggest international organisations such as the United Nations or the World Health Organisation.
Fig. 2 - Logo of the United Nations
International Organisations
International organisations create a framework for political, economic and social actors to work together. These organisations establish norms and rules of states and non-state actors in the international system we all live in.
International organisations provide a framework for state and sometimes non-state actors to come together to come up with the rules, laws, and practices which shape our global political system. These organisations have a global reach and take action on significant political matters which can have widespread impacts. Examples could include:
When considering just how large these political issues are, it might leave you scratching your head thinking about how these international organisations tackle these mammoth tasks. The answer relates to governance.
International organisations and global governance
Governance is the combined activities of the government including enforcing the law, making policies, and public services. Good governance can be regarded as when the government is legitimate and is democratically elected and bad governance is regarded as when a government is illegitimate and/or services are corrupted.
Global governance explores this concept on an international scale. Global governance helps us to understand the key roles of international organisations in world politics. There are many ways that international organisations establish global governance and affect world politics. These include:
Political governance
Economic governance
Environmental governance
Political governance
Firstly, let's explore political governance. As the name suggests, political governance uses political and diplomatic channels to influence world politics.
This can be seen in organisations such as the United Nations (UN) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). The UN was created to help international peace and security, economic developments, and human rights. This international governmental organisation has 193 member states, representing the majority of the world's nation-states. While NATO was formed during the Cold War, it was designed to safeguard the freedom and security of member states by political and military means.
Economic governance
Economic governance
Conducted by international organisations to shape the norms and rules of the global economy.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank are examples of economic governance.
The IMF was created in 1944 in the wake of the worldwide Great Economic Depression of the 1930s. This international organisation has created an international framework to encourage economic cooperation. Made up of 190 nation-states, these states work together to fulfil the key aims of the IMF. These include:
To foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world.
The World Bank is an international organisation, established in 1944. With 189 member states, this organisation aims to end poverty and boost prosperity for the world's poorest people. An example of the work of the World Bank includes providing loans and grants to low-income and middle-income countries to help reduce poverty.
Environmental governance
This particular form of governance is rapidly rising in importance as a result of climate change.
Environmental governance
Conducted by international organisations to regulate environmental practices and work towards securing global environmental protection.
There are multiple applications of environmental governance. The ways that international organisations influence global environmental practices could include:
For example, the UN hosts climate change conferences, where representatives around the world join together to discuss how each country can individually and collectively help the environment. This will shape the norms of environmental practice worldwide and influence the nature of environmental legislation in the different nation-states.
The future of world politics
As we've discovered, there are a lot of different actors which help influence global politics. Global politics is shaped by nation-states, international organisations, and agents of globalisation, such as private companies or the behaviour of individuals. However, looking ahead, you find yourself wondering what will the future of global politics look like.
There are a number of positions proposed by political scientists on this matter. You may wish to consider the theories below and decide for yourself which you think is the most plausible, or whether you foresee a mix of both positions shaping our future global political system.
Greater economic globalisation
Some political scientists1 propose that large multinational companies will continue to increase their power and influence over global politics. This increase in power is partly said to stem from the buying and spending habits of individuals from all over the world. Additionally, the power of multinational companies may increase as nation-states rely more heavily on private companies to provide essential goods and services, such as healthcare or security, to their citizens.
An example of these large multinational companies that show few signs of slowing could be Amazon. The company saw a 220% rise in profits throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, providing goods and services across the world.
Rise of regional international organisations
As we've already explored, the prominence of international organisations is particularly important in shaping global politics.
Since the twentieth century, international organisations with a specific focus on regional cooperation have been established. This is a political trend often referred to as regionalism. Examples of such regional international organisations include the European Union (1993), the North American Free Trade Agreement (1994), the African Union (2002), and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (1967). There are a variety of reasons why states join together, such as a shared culture, language or religion to name a few.
These organisations have also helped the process of globalisation as they make it easier to connect with the world politically, culturally, and economically. For instance, member states of the European Union have open borders to allow the citizens of all EU countries to travel and work across the region.
These forms of international organisations continue to shape our global political system, creating large alliances which influence global political, economic, and cultural trends.
The European Union
The EU is a collection of 27 states and is a political and economic union. This collection of nation-states has been known to advocate peace.
Fig. 3 - Flag of Europe
Collectively, the EU has also been a prominent voice on the growing issue of the environment and has been a strong advocate of human rights by producing the European Convention of Human Rights in 1953.
World Politics - Key takeaways
- Global politics is the study of political and environmental relationships in the world.
- National sovereignty is about the state's power over its citizens and the nation-state. This is a political community that is bound together by both citizenship and nationality.
- Globalisation is the process of how the world is becoming increasingly connected through trade and cultural exchange. An example of modern globalisation is global corporations.
- The role of international organisations in world politics can be explored through global governance. This is international cooperation between transnational actors and can be seen through political, economic, and environmental lenses.
- Regionalism is a political trend that consists in the establishment of international organisations with a specific focus on regional cooperation.
References
- Julia Pomares and Belén Abdala, Global Governance in 2030, 2018.
- Fig. 1 - Map of the countries of the United Kingdom (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Map_of_the_countries_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg) by Dank Jay (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:DankJae) licensed by CC-BY-SA-4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en)
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