Order in International Relations - Essay Example

?Order in International Relations International relations is characterized by an incessant aim to achieve harmonious coexistence. For this purpose, aglobal system has been established that would govern the behavior of member states. Rules were drafted, adopted and complied with, and, in some instances, even at the expense of a country's sovereignty - all for the purpose of establishing and strengthening a global system that would enforce order. Order, hence, has been the single most important reason why world organizations such as the United Nations and the World Trade Organizations were established. Out of all the self-interests that permeate in each of the states' fundamental goal to perpetuate itself, particularly, in the context of international relations and competition, there is a common ground that is often placed above it - peace and harmony. Order is crucial in the achievement of these ideals and ultimate goals by which the relationship between states are founded on. In order to explain the relationship between states as well as the significance of order in it, it is important to put the discourse in perspective. States represent their collective citizenry in their relations with others who represent their own as well in a magnified global society. As an entity, it is analogous to being a citizen within a greater global organization not unlike when an individual forms part of a community and interact with other people and forge relationships. According to Bromley and Clarke, the international community is a society writ large – that “we can think of international affairs as being ordered and governed by analogy to the ways we understand what makes any given society.” (p. 434) Today, a state can no longer exist in isolation. One way or another, it has to deal with its neighbors, its trading partners in our age of globalization and the Internet, its allies and enemies in the modern geopolitical game. It is for this reason why for thousands of years, countries have attempted to forge pacts, cooperate and confederate with each other in order to avoid war, which today is considered to be morally and economically repulsive. Bromley and Clarke stressed that as with any society, the international community depend on the work done by institutions, agencies and actors that make and enforce order in order to achieve and maintain stability and order. (p. 440) There two important spheres by which order plays an important function in international relations: the political and economic spheres. Political The United Nations represents the order by which states subject itself into. Under its rules and regulations, states determine their legitimacy because the recognition of the collective force that the UN claims and exercises constitute the modern conception of state sovereignty and independence. For instance, when China was recognized by the United Nations, Taiwan ceased to be the rightful Chinese state. The UN also serve as the forum by which countries resolve their conflicts such as when countries clash over border disputes. What this means is that the UN demonstrates the way by which states respect and value world order. It is, hence, the manifestation of the legitimate global order by which states universally acclaim in international relations. Both the powerful and weak states adhere to it because the UN legitimizes their behaviors and protects them from aggressions from other states or other parties and individuals. Even the United States can no longer do a unilateral action against another state or individual, blindsiding the UN, lest such act would be considered immoral, illegal and unacceptable. During the time of George W. Bush and his War on Terror, the international community was highly critical of the Iraq invasion. The consequence is illustrated in the way the succeeding Obama administration worked hard to build consensus and multilateral co-operation in its foreign policies and actions. Even if the United States or any powerful country such as China and Russia could muscle its way in pursuing its objectives in the international arena, it could not risk jeopardizing its relations with other countries in the complex political and economic relations established by the UN and similar global bodies. Without the UN sanction, a country can become a pariah in the community of nations. The idea here is that the necessary political order as represented by the UN forms part of the natural character of humans as social and rational beings. What they have done for the community, they are also elevating towards the state level and its relations with others in the international sphere. Put in another way, international legitimate order necessitated by the fact that in its absence, "each state must judge for itself what is threat and so each must worry about its position in the balance of power." (Bromley and Clarke, p. 434) Moreover, there is no governing authority that would restrain behaviors that could result in never-ending conflict. Humans have already developed from the Stone-Age barbarism - wherein bludgeons and clubs resolved conflicts - to the modern period of diplomacy and sophisticated international order. The case of pirates and terrorists excellently depict a world without norms and rules. Each of these actors is free to prey and terrorize on states, organizations and individuals without any fear of recriminations, sanctions and punishment. As a result, they pose a tremendous threat to the very survival of states, the security of humanity as well as the stability of the international order. Imagine then if each state would act without any bounds and is free to do what its government pleases, the result would be plain and utter chaos. It will not be long when a state invades another or annihilates a people and no one will care because each state is left to its own devices in making their own standards of morality, of legitimate policies and behaviors. Economic Another important sphere that demonstrates the importance of order in international relations is the economic arena. Globalization has integrated the world into a close international market wherein trade is a multilateral issue and an economic policy or event could affect numerous economies. A disruption to the economic system such as the recent financial crisis that started in the U.S. highlights this point. After the crash of the American domestic financial system, the ripple effect overseas was immediate. The stock markets in Europe and Asia fell in quick succession. Solving this type of economic disorder requires authority and cooperation that is global in scope. The recent financial crisis, for example, required the extensive overhaul of financial institutions and practices that could only be achieved through the authority of global financial organizations. Addressing Global Problems The reduction of the world into one global village also made the problems facing the globe a contributor in the growing need for order and authority that would enforce it. Take the case of climate change as an example. Sir David King, speaking for Britain, declared to the international community that climate change, if left unchecked, could result to the breakdown of the world order through the calamities that it would inevitably bring. For instance, King explained: By 2080, if we assume continuing growth rates in consumption of fossil fuels, the numbers of additional people exposed to frequent flooding in the river delta areas such as the Nile, the Mekong, and Bangladesh, and from coastline cities and villages of India, Japan and the Philippines, would be counted in hundreds of millions assuming no adaptation measures were implemented. (Bromley and Clarke, p. 309) King is appealing to the United Nations and the concerned world body to act on the climate problem, underscoring the fact that the solution can only be achieved through the collective cooperation of all states. A more direct assault to global order is the issue of terrorism. As previously mentioned, it is guided by an extremist, fanatical and violent ideology bent on destroying Western society and its allies. In the past decades, the problem has resulted in the loss of lives, protracted conflict and escalating sentiments that pit cultures and religion against each other. Our experience with terrorism has revealed that it has already adopted a multinational scope, sometimes enjoying the support of some states. The states of Iran and North Korea are well known to sponsor terrorism. The world order establishes a strong global authority that can comprehensively deal with such threat by ensuring the cooperation of many countries in areas of military, economic and political tactics to combat terrorists. There are numerous other problems that the legitimate global authority by virtue of the need for order, can effectively address: poverty, inequality, human rights, and so forth. Conclusion Perhaps if order is only expedient politically, then it may not be as important as we need it today, internationally. The case now is that the global economic system has rendered cooperation and stability more important than ever. Otherwise, any disruption or some semblance to disorder could affect all states adversely. The key principles at work here are “interdependency” and connection. A political conflict can result not only in damages to lives and property or, at the most extreme, the independence and very physical survival of a state, but also to its economic well being. The underlying issue here is the need for a legitimate global authority that has the power and capability solve the many problems that can result into conflict, chaos and the retardation of human development. It is still important to underscore that we lead civilized lives today. We live in just societies wherein people and their interaction are governed by laws, which, for their part, are governed by principles. We know that the rules and norms are effective, beneficial and good. It is only natural that we want establish this kind of communal order to the international realm, which unarguably resembles our communities and societies. Read More