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General Analysis on States and Their Future

 

2000

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Living With Russia (Fall, 2000)

According to Brzezinski, the romanticism of an imperial past dominates the Russian viewpoint of the world. It remains to be seen whether Russian National Interest will be directed towards (re)conquering the geopolitical status of a glorious past, or towards a partnership with Europe and the West. It may well be that for now, nostalgia bears greater weight than respect for what an older Russian may think as 'invented boundaries' dividing his 'empire'.

Transcendental Destination (Fall 2000)

The RAND conducted a series of studies that sought "to chart the future course of the information revolution throughout the world over the next 10-20 years." The reports identified the "potential forms of global governance that might become necessary as a result."

Travelling Salesmen of Diplomacy (August 2000)

In this article from Le Monde Diplomatique, George Ross laments the passing of traditional interstate politics. Globalization has reduced everything to trade issues, he claims, and presents his opinion on the state of the world.

 

Information and Biological Revolutions: Global Governance Challenges (2000)

In the 19th and 20th centuries, states developed and controlled industrial technologies, including the nuclear ones. Deregulation, privatization and the boom in information and bio technologies made the state monopoly over powerful technologies a difficult, if not impossible, task. (RAND)

The New Layers of Europe (May 22, 2000)

A changing Europe is rapidly developing a multilayered set of political connections. States are redefining sovereignty both through giving up traditional responsibilities to the EU and, at the same time allowing regional and local structures more autonomy. (Christian Science Monitor)

Sovereignty and Human Rights: The Search for Reconciliation (May, 2000)

States or individuals - which of these should hold the spotlight? Richard Falk finds ways to explain the complexities of the sovereignty vs. humanitarian intervention debate. (Issues of Democracy)

Conference on the Evolution of The Nation-State Through 2015 (April 18, 2000)

A conference on the future of nation-states concluded that by 2015 the nation-state would preserve its current form. The participants explored changes that might result due to globalization, the evolution of political attitudes, the activities of non-state actors, and new standards of governmental performance. (University of Maryland)

Rise of the Corporate Nation-State (April 10, 2000)

Article from the Christian Science Monitor discusses how corporations across the globe are increasingly taking on some of the traditional roles of state. At the heart of this debate lies the question of who should set society's agenda - big business or big government.

Are National Taxes Adequate for a Global Economy? (April 4, 2000)

An in depth analysis of the impending crisis the new global economy poses for nation based tax systems. (Independent)

Despite Global Changes, National Sovereignty Remains King (March 30, 2000)

A short but all-embracing essay on states' role in globalization. (International Herald Tribune)

Campaign Challenges Vatican's Status at The UN (March 15, 2000)

Hundreds of NGOs rally for a review of the Holy See's permanent observer status at the UN, which gives it many of the same privileges as member states. No other religion is recognized as a state in the United Nations. (InterPress Service)

Has Globalization Really Made Nations Redundant? (March 2000)

An in-depth article from Le Monde Diplomatique analyzes the idea of the nation-state as "a thing of the past." The authors suggest that with globalization, recent policies have weakened the nation-state.

The Nation-State – One Player Among Many (January 2000)

In this interview, Bertrand Badie of the Political Studies Institute in Paris, discusses the effects of globalization and regionalism on the nation-state in a post-sovereign world. He suggests that although information revolution undermines the state, it helps it build up "its means of action, coercion and communication." (Label France)

The Lawless Frontier (February 2000)

Tribalism, divisive nationalisms and religious unrest are all ingredients augmented by globalization. Here is a journalistic survey of the difficulties in building a sense of nationhood that respects the "lawless frontier" dividing Pakistan and Afghanistan. (Atlantic Monthly)

1999

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Could This Be The New World? (December 27, 1999)

A New York Times op-ed piece discussing the future of the city-state in the 21st Century.

Landlord Pulls Plug on Deadbeat Embassy (December 7, 1999)

After the seven-year civil war in its homeland, the Liberian Mission to the UN, crippled financially, is unable to make rent payments (New York Post).

State Sovereignty Under Threat (July 1999)

Le Monde Diplomatique article by Susan George which looks at the erosion of state sovereignty and tries to examine the multiple layers of this process.

Democracy Softens Forces of Change: Inventing National Identity (June 1999)

Article which argues that the recent upsurge in nationalism derives from a failure of politics and the difficulties involved in forming new collective identities.

When Sovereignty Isn't Sacrosanct (April 18, 1999)

A New York Times discussion of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's response to NATO air attacks on Yugoslavia and his statement on the future of states and nations (April 7), including the significant demand that "human rights must take precedence over concerns of state sovereignty."

Statement by Kofi Annan on the Future of States and Nations (April 7, 1999)

Secretary General calls for renewed commitment in new century to protect rights of man, woman, child -- regardless of ethnic, national belonging

Libyan Suspects Handed Over in Lockerbie Bombing; Sanctions Suspended (April 5, 1999)

Though this article is simply stating the current events in this case, it merits reading. The events themselves are a commentary on the changing nature of states.

Tracing Today's Conflicts Back to Colonialism (March 31, 1999)

This article analyzes the current situation in many conflict areas with reference to the past.

A Manifesto for the Fast World (March 28, 1999)

Sunday New York Times Magazine article, published just at the start of NATO bombing in Kosovo, presents a perspective on globalization and the U.S.'s role in the world.

A New Geography of Power?

In this essay, Sociologist Saskia Sassen discusses the "incipient unbundling of the exclusive authority" of the state. She cites the proliferation of NGO's and the internet as two examples of the new power.

The UN, the World, and Denmark (March 26, 1999)

New DUPI (Danish Institute of International Affairs) Report warns against marginalization of the UN.

This Institution Has Failed. For We, the People, Have Not Spoken Yet (March 17, 1999)

In light of the resignations of the European Commissioners, Jonathan Freedland discusses some of the issues surrounding the European Union-- namely whether or not it is democratic.

What's Wrong With This Picture of Nationalism (February 21, 1999)

Article describes nationalist movements as motivated by desires for independant participation in the global economy and system.

Selling out to the Euro (January 1999)

In an article in Le Monde Diplomatique, Laurent Carroue discusses how the European Central Bank and the Stability and Growth Pact threaten democracy in the name of a stronger Europe.

Towards a New Century (January 1999)

In Le Monde Diplomatique Ignacio Ramonet discusses the growing gap between the rich and the poor and the resulting "crisis of the nation-state."

Civil Society and the Future of the Nation-State (1999)

Essay from the Nation assesses the role of civil society in the context of a world where the traditional nation-state is no longer.

Globalization and the Future of Democracy (1999)

"David Held, of the London School of Economics, outlines a cosmopolitan model of democracy, questions the relevance of current political boundaries and predicts the need for nation-states to relinquish much of their sovereignty in order to preserve the democratic rights of the people they govern." (Fathom.com)

1998

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UK: New Calls for More Liberal State Secrets Law (August 10, 1998)

An article from the International Press Service on the controversy in the United Kingdom over the Official Secrets Act, in effect a conflict between 'the public good' and freedom of expression.

Giant Corporations, Dwarf States (June 1998)

An article by Ignacio Ramonet from the Le Monde diplomatique (English edition) on how the power of the state is in retreat before an onslaught of giant corporates, fuelled by a frenzy of privatization.

Benjamin R. Barber: "Big = Bad, Unless it Doesn't" (April 1998)

A humorous look at the acceptability of big corporations and the unacceptability of big government

Globalization and the Nation State: Erosion from Above (February 1998)

Sylvia Ostry of University of Toronto argues that "the structural transformation of the global economy places [an] increasing strain on the adaptive capacity and hence legitimacy of governments and international institutions."

1997-1995

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Andrew Strauss and Richard Falk: "For a Global Peoples' Assembly" (November 14, 1997)

An op-ed from the International Herald Tribune supporting a popularly elected peoples' assembly, outside of the traditional nation-state context 

Rethinking the State (June 1997)

The World Bank report concludes that "the state is central to economic and social development, not as a direct provider of growth but as a partner, catalyst, and facilitator." Although the authors "rethink the state" they fail to think outside of it. 

Realism vs. Cosmopolitanism (December 1996)

Anthony McGrew poses pertinent questions allowing theorists Barry Buzan and David Held to explore differences between the 'realist' and 'cosmopolitan' conceptions of world politics. (Polity Press) 

Cyberspace vs. the State (February 26, 1996)

Louis Rossetto, the editor of Wired magazine, explains the "digital world" erodes the power of the nation-state. He adds that the state will find it increasingly difficult to control the Internet, media, and other sources of information. (Cato Institute)

Beyond the Nation-State (October 2, 1996)

Sociologist Gerard Delanty argues that the resurgence of nationalism around Western Europe stems from disappointment over the diminishing welfare state. With governments pushing neoliberal agendas, only a firm basis in social citizenship could sustain the multicultural foundations of the EU project. (Sociological Research Online)

James Morgan: "Who Needs the State? Nations Can be Companies" (May 1995)

A revealing article discussing how investors might prefer to have nation-states run along the lines of commercial enterprises. Raises the question: Will states themselves be privatized? 

The Coming Anarchy (February 1994)

A return to a medieval past? Robert D. Kaplan envisions a Western African reality eclipsed by the disappearance of an already fragile institution of sovereignty, and warns that the present path of social development may bring about the same fate to others - the US included. (Atlantic Monthly)

1990

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Maldevelopment: Anatomy of a Global Failure (1990)

Neo-Marxian economist Samir Amin argues that "worldwide expansion of capital" has caused a crisis of the modern state. He observes that states in the developing world have suffered more because the idea of nation faces its own challenges, and foreign capital prevents the crystallization of the "autocentric (and potentially national) bourgeois state." (UN University)

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FAIR USE NOTICE: This page contains copyrighted material the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. Global Policy Forum distributes this material without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. We believe this constitutes a fair use of any such copyrighted material as provided for in 17 U.S.C § 107. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.