CORRESPONDENCE LEARNING MODULE

Second Semester | Academic Year 2024–2025

THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD

CONW 1013

Prepared by:

CONW 1013 INSTRUCTORS

Reviewed by:

CLAIRE T. GUMARANG, MAEd

Political Science and Social Science Department Head

Recommended by:

HERBERT S. CORPUZ, Ed.D.

Academic Dean

Approved by:

LUISA B. AQUINO, Ed.D.

Vice President for Academics
 CORRESPONDENCE LEARNING MODULE
CONW 1013 (The Contemporary World)
Academic Year 2024–2025

Lesson 4: The Structures of Globalization

Topic: The Global Interstate System

Learning Outcomes: At the end of this module, you are expected to:

1. Explain the effects of globalization on governments;

2. Identify the institutions that govern international relations;
3. Identify the roles and functions of the United Nations;
4. Create an Informercial about government as an element of the state; and
5. Explain the relevance of the state amid globalization.
Lesson Proper:

What is Global Interstate System?

Global
 Pertaining to the entire globe rather than a specific region or country. Often used interchangeably
with the term international, with one exception being in regards to mutual funds among the countries.
Interstate
 It is between the two or more states; between places or persons among the different states.
Concerning or affecting two or more states politically or territorially.
System
 A regular interacting group or interdependent group of items forming a unified whole.

To sum it up…

Global Interstate System is the whole system of human interactions. The modern world system is structured
political as an interstate system. It is also a system of competing and allying states. Political scientist
commonly calls this the international system, and it is the main focus of the field of international relations.

The Modern World System

Followed the crisis of the feudal system in Europe and helps explain the rise of Western Europe
to world supremacy between 1450 to1670
• World economic system emerged
• Now a global economy with a global political system (the modern interstate system)
• Structured politically as interstate system – a system of competing and allying states
• A single global economy composed of international trade and capital flows, transnational
corporations that produce products on several continents, as well as all the economic
transactions that occur within countries and at local levels.
• Rise and fall of hegemonic powers

Interstate System – it is fundamental basis of the competitive commodity economy at the global system level.
It is also a system of international relations.
EFFECTS OF GLOBALIZATION TO GOVERNMENT
There have been several challenges to the government and ultimately, to state

autonomy. Challenges that effect of the Globalization to the Government

 Traditional Challenges
External intervention can generally be described as invasion by other
countries. Example:
When Saddam Hussein was the ruler of Iraq in 1990 he decided he was going to take over
the oil fields of Kuwait. He invaded Kuwait and took it over. As a result, he was dislodged
by international coalition led by the US.

 Internal political challenges

Example:
In Syria, the original rebellion against Assad came from the country’s own internal
dissenters who wanted to replace the government even though they were also Syrian
nationals
There are also regional organizations challenging states autonomy. The United Nations
intervened in Sudan because of the several years of Civil War.

What is international relations?

International relations refer to an academic

discipline that focuses on the study of the
interaction of the actors in international politics,
including states and non-state actors, such as the
United Nations (UN), the International Monetary
Fund (IMF), and the World Bank. It is also the study
of interconnectedness of politics, economics, and
law on a global level.

Theories of International Relations

1. Realist Theory- they do believe that states are in constant struggle for power. According
to them Security can only be achieved in such a system by maintaining power. States
can be reasonably assumed acting in pursuit of their individual interest. The main goal
or interest that they are always aiming to win is power among any other states in the
international society. States here as the primary actor of international law are never
sure of the intentions of other states towards them, that is why the only thing for them if
on how they are to survive and that is for them to remain in power.
2. Institutionalist Theory- in international relations they believe that interplay of states in the different
institutions is an important act for them to achieve their goals. We note that the relationship of states are
products of their interaction, not only by the states but also by the various institutions and hierarchical
structures in Global Political Sphere. States here are not alone in fulfilling its goal rather they interact with
the other actors of international society in order for them to achieve its goal.
 3. Liberalist/Neoliberalist Theory- It holds that human nature is basically good and that innate goodness makes
societal progress possible. Liberals also place faith in international law and legal instruments to settle disputes.
They tend to go towards the right path for them to achieve something. This theory proceeds from the
assumption that the States are geared towards GAINS and PROFITS, therefore, relations are often dependent
on whether the same would be profitable or not. If they get something from an agreement then they would
take the chance to enter into that agreement to achieve their goal of gaining something.

4. Democratic Peace Theory- Democratic States are hesitant to go to war with other Democratic States.
“Respect of one’s Sovereign Rights over the Land” is their main ideology. For them peaceful way of resolving
conflicts are seen as morally superior to violent behavior, and this attitude is transferred to international
relations. Mutual gain from economic cooperation and interdependence also contribute to peace.

INSTITUTIONS THAT GOVERN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

The following institutions govern international relations; These are:

I. United Nations
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization
created in 1945, shortly after the end of World War II. The
UN was formed by 51 countries in order to encourage
resolution of international conflicts without war and to form
policies on international issues.

The UN system, also known unofficially as the “UN Family”,

is made up of the UN itself and many affiliated programs,
funds, and specialized agencies, all with their own
membership, leadership, and budget. The programs and
funds are financed through voluntary rather than assessed
contributions. The specialized agencies are independent
international organizations funded by both voluntary and
assessed contributions.

II. North Atlantic Treaty Organization

NATO is an alliance of 28 countries of bordering North

Atlantic Ocean. It includes Canada, the United States,
Turkey, and the most members of the European Union. The
organization were created during the 1994 Bretton Woods
Conference. NATO mission is to protect the freedom of its
members.

NATO’s mission is to protect the freedom of its members.

Its targets include weapons of mass destruction, terrorism,
and cyber-attacks. Security in our daily lives is key to our
well- being. NATO’s purpose is to guarantee the freedom
and security of its members through political and military
means.
Political – NATO promotes democratic values and enables members
to consult and cooperate on defense and security-related issues to solve problems, build trust and,
in the long run, prevent conflict.
MILITARY – NATO is committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes. If diplomatic efforts fail, it has
the military power to undertake crisis-management operations. These are carried out under the
collective defense clause of NATO’s founding treaty – Article 5 of the Washington Treaty or under a
United Nations mandate, alone or in cooperation with other countries and international
organizations.

I. World Trade Organization

The only global international organizations dealing with

the rules of trade between nations. It is an organization
for trade opening. The WTO is a place where member
governments try to sort out the trade problems, they face
with each other.

It is an organization for trade opening. It is a forum for

governments to negotiate trade agreements. It is a place
for them to settle trade disputes. It operates a system of
trade rules. Essentially, the WTO is a place where
member governments try to sort out the trade problems,
they face with each other.

II. North America Free Trade Agreement

The North American Free Trade Agreement history began
in 1980. Its purpose is to reduce trading costs, increase
business investment and help North America be more
competitive in the global market place. The agreement
between Canada, The United States and Mexico.

NAFTA’s main provisions called for the gradual reduction

of tariffs, customs duties, and other trade barriers
between the three members, with some tariffs being
removed immediately and others over periods of as long
as 15 years. The agreement ensured eventual duty-free
access for a vast range of manufactured goods and
commodities traded between the signatories. “National
goods” status was provided to products imported from
other NAFTA countries, banning any state, local, or
provincial government from imposing taxes or tariffs on
such goods.

NAFTA also contained provisions aimed at securing intellectual-property rights. Participating

countries would adhere to rules protecting intellectual property and would adopt strict measures
against industrial theft. Other provisions instituted formal rules for resolving disputes between
investors and participating countries. Among other things, such rules permitted corporations or
individual investors to sue for compensation any signatory country that violated the rules of the
treaty.

Elements of State
 People
- This refers to the large numbers of inhabitants living within the state
- It must be small enough to be ruled
- And it must be big enough to be self-sufficient

Territory
- This includes the land over which the state excises control
- It also includes the rivers and lakes therein, certain areas of the sea which borders on its coasts and the air
space above them.
- A mass of land where people can permanently reside.
Sovereignty
- The supreme power of the state to command and enforce obedience from its people as well as to have
freedom from foreign control
- It could be manifested internally through its freedom to rule within its territory
- Externally through its freedom to carry out its activities without control by other states.

Government
- This refers to the agency through which the will of the state is formulated, expressed and carried out.
- This could be referred as the “administration”.

WHAT IS INTERNATIONAL LAW?

Is the body of legal rules, norms and standards, which apply to sovereign states and such other
entities that have been granted international personality.

Relationship of International Law with the Municipal Law or Domestic

Law
1. Horizontal vs. Vertical – International Law is horizontal in nature; whereas Domestic/Municipal Law is
vertical in nature.
Horizontal: all states are in equal footing; cannot compel each other to act. Vertical: a
hierarchy exists whereby those on top can give commands to those lower in the system.
2. Monist vs. Dualist
To monist, there is no substantial distinctions between International Law and Municipal or
Domestic Law.

To dualist, there are distinctions.

Distinction between International Law and Municipal Law according to Dualist
 MUNICIPAL LAW INTERNATIONAL LAW

Issued by a political superior for Is not imposed upon but simply adopted
observance by those under its authority. by states as a common rule of action
Wherein the political superior it is referring among themselves. No specific
is the government of a country, as to the government but simply form agreements
Philippines those are the three (3) and from there, rules and standards are
branches of our government, namely: formed.
Executive (the President and its Cabinet
members); Legislative (the Senate and the
House of Representatives); and the
Judiciary (having the Justices with the
Supreme Court as the highest Court of the
land).
Consists mainly of enactments from the Is derived not from any particular
lawmaking authority of each state. The legislation but from such sources as
lawmaking authority in our country is international customs, international
mainly the power given to the Legislative conventions and the general principles of
branch of our government. They do law. They simply based all the norms and
formulate laws and will be approved by the standards from what each country
President and reviewed by the Judiciary. agreed upon, maybe in an organization
wherein those countries are member into
or other treaties passed for the benefit of
particular countries.

Regulates the relations of individuals Applies to the relations inter se of states

among themselves or with their own and other international persons. It does
states. These Municipal or Domestic Laws not deal on the relationship of certain
are the set of rules and regulations people individuals but the relationship of
are bounded to follow to create peace and countries or organizations in the
order in the society and make them be international society.
liable on their actions.
Violations of municipal law are redressed Questions of public international law are
through local administrative and judicial resolved through state- to- state
process. If a person will violate laws in the transactions ranging from peaceful
country, then they will undergo a judicial methods like negotiations and
proceeding to settle it wherein the branch arbitrations. They do not have a specific
of government who has the power to do agency to resolved conflicts but they do
this is the Judiciary it through negotiations.
International may have courts like for
example the International Court of Justice
(ICJ) under the United Nations
Organization, but then they cannot
compel states to face the ICJ without the
consent given by states themselves.

 The Theory of Coordination- this Doctrine states that although Municipal Law and International Law are
on two separate planes, they may nevertheless affect each other with regards to OBLIGATIONS. This
Obligation will certainly arise if and then any two or more states are both members of any international
 organization or formed any agreement or treaty between and among them.
However, that since the two systems lie on different fields, their interaction should not
bring them into conflicts with each other since they operate in two different spheres,
and each is being supreme in its own field. (Fitzmaurice)
 Incorporation vs. Transformation
III.
Doctrine of Incorporation Doctrine of Transformation
 - is expressed in Sec. 2, Art II, Philippine - requires the enactment by the
Constitution, as follows: “The Philippines legislative body of such
renounces war as an instrument of national international law principles as are
policy, adopts the generally accepted sought to be part of the municipal
principles of International Law as part of the law.
law of the land, and adheres to the policy of
peace, equality, justice, freedom, cooperation The treaties that are entered into
and amity with all nations”. by our country, before it will be
part of the law of our land the
Since we are member of the United Nations Legislative branch of our
Organization and we then adhere to promote government must enact it and
Human Rights it is adopted and incorporated passed to take part of our laws.
in our constitution that Philippines renounces
war as a means of resolving conflict. We then
follow
negotiation and peace talks to settle disputes
in the international society.

Functions of International Law:

 The maintenance of international peace and order;

 The protection of State rights and of fundamental human rights thru sanctions, both peaceful and
coercive;
 The economic, social, cultural and technological development of states and such other entities as may be
possessed of an international personality.

United Nations Organization

The United Nations (UN) has six main organs. Five of them are the (1) General Assembly,
(2) the Security Council, (3) the Economic and Social Council, (4) the Trusteeship Council and (5)
the Secretariat — are based at UN Headquarters in New York. The sixth, the International Court
of Justice, is located at The Hague in the Netherlands.

The United Nations is neither a supra-State nor a government of governments, meaning it

does not have its own government like any other country does. It has the function to make
treaties or agreements between and among the member states but it cannot be immediately
bound to be followed by everyone. It does not have an army and it imposes no taxes in the
services it offers. It depends on the political will of its Member States to have its decisions put
into action and relies on the contributions of its Members to carry out its activities.

General purpose [cause and object of the Charter] The United Nations in an international
organization tasked to:
1. Prevent of war
2. Maintain international peace and security
3. Develop friendly relations among the members of the international community
4. Attain international cooperation, and harmony in the actions of nations

The 6 main Organs of the United Nations:

The General Assembly- The General Assembly
is the main deliberative organ of the United
Nations. All UN Member States are
represented in the General Assembly. Each
Member State has one vote in the decisions
the council will carry out. Decisions on such
key issues as international peace and
security, admitting new members and the UN
budget are decided by a two-thirds majority
of those members who vote for a certain
agreement to be carried.

Under the UN Charter, the functions and

powers of the General Assembly (GA) include:
To discuss any question relating to
international peace and security (except when
a dispute or situation is being discussed
by the Security Council); To make recommendations for the peaceful settlement of any situation
which might harm the friendly relations among nations; To discuss and make recommendations on
the powers and functions of any organ of the United Nations; To request studies and make
recommendations to promote international cooperation, the development of international law, the
protection of human rights, and international collaboration on economic, social, cultural,
educational and health issues; To receive and discuss reports from the Security Council and other
UN organs; To discuss and approve the UN budget; To elect non-permanent members of the
Security Council, the members of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and additional
members of the Trusteeship Council (when necessary); to elect the judges of the International
Court of Justice (jointly with the Security Council); and on the recommendation of the Security
Council, to appoint the Secretary-General.

The Security Council- The Security Council has primary

responsibility for the maintenance of international
peace and security. It has 15 Members, and each
Member has one vote in the decision the council is
making.

Under the Charter, all Member States are obligated to

comply with Council decisions. The Charter of the
United Nations – an international treaty – obligates
member states to settle their disputes by peaceful
means, in such a manner that international peace
and security and justice are not endangered. They
are to refrain from the threat or use of force against
any state, and may bring the dispute before the
Security Council. The UN Charter gives the Security
Council primary responsibility for maintaining
international peace and security. The Council may
convene at any time, whenever peace is threatened.
In contrast to the decisions made by the General
Assembly, all Member States are obligated under the
UN Charter to carry out the Security Council’s
decisions.
The Economic and Social Council- A founding UN
Charter body established in 1946, the Economic and
Social Council (ECOSOC) is the place where the
world’s economic, social and environmental
challenges are discussed and debated, and policy
recommendations issued.
The Trusteeship Council- The Trusteeship Council was
established to provide international supervision for
11 Trust Territories and to make sure that adequate
steps were taken to prepare the Territories for self-
government or independence. Western Samoa,
Tanganyika, Rwanda- Urundi, Cameroons under
British and French administration, Togoland under
British and French administration, New Guinea,
Nauru, Strategic Trust Territory/ Trust territory of the
Pacific Islands and Italian Somaliland are some of
the Trust
Territories of the United Nations. These territories, referred to as League of Nations Mandates,
were renamed United Nations Trust Territories once the UN Charter came
into force in late 1945.

The International Court of Justice- The International

Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the
United Nations. The Court is charged with settling
legal disputes between States and giving advisory
opinions to the United Nations and its specialized
agencies. The International Court of Justice is
composed of 15 judges elected to nine-year terms of
office by the United Nations General Assembly and
the Security Council.

The Secretariat- The UN Secretariat, consisting of staff

representing all nationalities working in duty stations
all over the world, carries out the day to day work of
the Organization. The Secretariat services the other
principal organs of the United Nations and
administers the programs and policies established by
them.

MAIN FUNCTION of UN: to maintain peace and security for all of its member-states.

- UN doesn’t have its own military but has peace keeping force which are supplied by the member states. On
approval of UN Security Council, these peace makers are often sent to regions where armed conflict has recently
ended to discourage combatants from resuming fighting.

Other Functions:

- UN also aims to protect human rights and provide humanitarian assistance when needed.
- The General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a standard for its human rights
 operations. Member States who had been violative of the said declaration may be summon to face the United
Nations when cases on Human Rights violation are rampant in member countries of the UN.
- UN currently provides technical assistance in elections, helps to improve judicial structures and draft
constitutions, trains human rights officials, and provides food, drinking water, and other humanitarian services
to peoples displaced by famine, war and natural disaster.

At present, the Holy See and Palestine are the only observer states at the United Nations. Generally, they have
limited ability to participate in the Organizations day to day functioning, and also, they lack the ability to vote or
propose resolutions within the organization.
- June 10, 1942 Philippines gained its membership to the United Nations Organization.

ROLE OF UNITED NATIONS TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE

United Nations established what it calls its Millennium Development Goals

Most of its member states and various international organizations have agreed to achieve these
goals relating to reducing poverty, child mortality, fighting diseases and epidemics, and
developing global partnership in terms of international development, by 2015.

A report issued as the deadline neared noted the progress that had been made, lauding efforts in developing
nations, and noted shortfalls as well that need continued focus: people still living in poverty without access to
services, gender inequality, the wealth gap, and climate change's effects on the poorest people.
 **END OF LESSON 4**

REFERENCES

Textbook:

Aldama, Prince Kennex, c2018. THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD. First Edition. Rex Book
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Coronacion, Dennis C., et. al., 2018. Convergence: a textbook in contemporary world.
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