Primary Actors in International Society Essay - 1246 Words

After the end of World War II, two nations remained dominant: the United States and the Soviet Union. From roughly 1945 to 1990, The U.S. and the Soviet Union did not engage in direct military conflict, but they prepared for it. After massive military build-ups and periods of mounting tensions, the Cold War subsided as Communist regimes collapsed and Germany became whole again. Since then, emerging actors have joined states to collectively impact international society, and an important question to ask is: Are non-state actors becoming more important than state actors? Although non-state actors, such as terrorists and region states, have become increasingly important in the modern world, states remain the primary actors since they†¦show more content†¦Consequently, non-state actors such as Osama bin Laden and his terrorist team, revealed the states inability to fulfill one of its most paramount responsibilities: ensuring national security. Thomas Friedman, author and commentator, holds that globalization can have negative effects on countries that are not alert to change and that it has forced states to reconsider the effectiveness of a centralized decision-making system. He argues that by ignoring innovations and adhering to accepted norms, nations will only witness the disadvantages of globalization. Instead, Friedman suggests that the only way to manage globalization is to accept the inevitability of democratization of decisionmaking and information flows, and the deconcentration of power (62). Friedman emphasizes that the heads of a country are not necessarily the individuals possessing the most knowledge. He writes that even lower-level employees are skillful in analyzing situations and finding solutions; therefore in order to create a more efficient system of operations, information should flow from the top to the bottom. In this way, the central government becomes decentralized and individuals receive an op portunity to voice their own opinions. One entity that would benefit from the decentralization of the nation state is the region state. Author and government adviser, Kenichi Ohmae, describes the region state as a natural economic zone with a population of five to twenty millionShow MoreRelatedMarxist Theories Of International Relations903 Words   |  4 PagesThe various Marxist theories of international relations agree that the international state system was constructed by capitalists and therefore serves the interests of wealthy states and corporations, which seek to protect and expand their wealth. Although, Marx during his own time was not widely appreciated and Marxism can be considered outdated, he still remains an iconic figure of the 19th century. Although Marx left several theories around the theme of international relations, Marxism itself hasRead MorePlay Analysis : The Realist International System1137 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction International Organisations (IOs) have risen to prominence in recent years. Yet significant debate exists surrounding their status as actors within the international system. As a result, this essay asserts that IOs are powerful independent actors to a small, albeit still significant extent. Whilst IOs do hold some power; the state remains the most powerful actor in international society. To develop this assertion, this essay will establish the principles of realism and liberalism, asRead MoreRussian Annexation Of Donetsk And Luhansk Oblasts Due1674 Words   |  7 PagesThe Ukraine crisis has emerged from a domestic conflict and developed into an international issue because of the Russian federation intervention. 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However, leaders of today are enveloping countries in a globalist mindset, contesting a state mentality that honors sovereignty. 9/11 represents a historical turning point; in which clashes between state and non-state actors increased the vulnerability of state actors and challengedRead MorePeering Through Spectacles Of The English School, Has Provided1648 Words   |  7 Pagesthe mechanics of international affairs, in which I had little prior knowledge. I have always believed that the United Nations assisted countries to co-operate by allowing the diversities to be acknowledged and r espected, providing equality amongst the nations, even if relations have sometimes been strained. The English School are a group of scholars who believe that the state actors form an international society which helps to establish a co-operative environment. 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Kehoane and Joseph S. Nye, Jr., Power and Interdependence842 Words   |  4 PagesKehoane and Joseph S. Nye, Jr. â€Å"Power and Interdependence† In this text, Keohane and Nye try to shape and define a new concept of power applied on international relations based on the notion of interdependence, which is a concept broadly used and misunderstood in the discipline. Interdependence is getting more and more important in defining international affairs, inter-state relationships and worldwide behaviors; for a good understanding of the issue, we should now define the cornerstone, the backboneRead MoreThe Key Differences Between Realists, Morality of State Theorists, and Cosmopolitans1534 Words   |  7 Pagespreference on the part of our people – yes.† He goes on to say that morality as a criterion for measuring and comparing the behavior of states is flawed. Morality is a preference, not a requirement to govern in the international anarchic system, Kennan argues. Ethics and justice in the international system are measured by how states satisfy varying moral requirements. These moral requirements are defined by a varie ty of schools of thought, including: Realists, Morality of States theorists, and Cosmopolitans