3 - History of Global State System

Summary

This video script delves into the history of international relations, contrasting it with modern practices. It highlights the East Asian region's cenocentric regional order, where China was the center, and the Greek city-state system, which formed alliances against the Persian Empire. The Ottoman Empire's division of the world into spheres of war and peace is also discussed. The script emphasizes the Holy Roman Empire's influence on the Westphalian nation-state system, which emerged from the Thirty Years' War and the Treaty of Westphalia, establishing the principle of non-intervention in domestic affairs and co-equality among nations.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The history of international relations is divided into two periods: the pre-colonial era and the post-colonial era.
• 📚 The pre-colonial era is further divided into different civilizational groups with distinct approaches to international relations.
• 🇨🇳 In East Asia, the Chinese empire was considered the center of civilization, with a system known as the Tianxia or the sino-centric regional order.
• 🌏 The sino-centric order categorized regions into concentric circles with China at the center and 'barbarians' at the periphery.
• 🏰 The Greek city-state system was distinct from the modern nation-state system, with city-states forming alliances based on historical context rather than competition.
• 🕌 The Ottoman Empire viewed the world differently, distinguishing between the 'sphere of Islam' (Dar al-Islam) and the 'sphere of war' (Dar al-Harb).
• 🏛️ The Holy Roman Empire had a different structure from the Westphalian nation-state system, with a central authority having influence over subordinate kingdoms.
• 🔄 The Treaty of Westphalia marked a shift towards secularism and the concept of nation-states being co-equal and non-interventionist.
• 🗺️ Post-Westphalia, European nations established clear boundaries and territories, moving away from the free movement of people characteristic of agricultural societies.
• 🚀 European nations' expansion beyond their continent was partly driven by the need to sustain their operations and expeditions within Europe.

Q & A

What are the two periods the history of international relations is divided into according to the script?

The history of international relations is divided into the 'previous failure period' and the 'posters valiant period'.

What is the term used to describe the division of the East Asian region before European colonization?

The division of the East Asian region is called the 'cenocentric regional order' or 'confusion hierarchy'.

What does the term 'Tianxia' signify in the context of the Chinese empire?

The term 'Tianxia' means 'all under heaven' and signifies that the Chinese empire considered itself as the center of the world.

How did the Chinese empire view nations that were geographically farther away?

The Chinese empire viewed nations that were farther away as more 'barbaric', considering them less civilized.

What was the tributary state system imposed by the Chinese empire?

The tributary state system was a system where as long as a kingdom gave annual tribute to the Chinese empire, it could govern itself without interference from China.

How did the Greek city-state system differ from the modern nation-state system?

The Greek city-state system was characterized by alliances formed to address specific historical contexts, such as the threat from the Persian empire, rather than competition among equals.

What was the Ottoman empire's view on the division of the world?

The Ottoman empire viewed the world as divided into 'Dar al-Islam' (sphere of peace) for Muslim nations and 'Dar al-Harb' (sphere of war) for non-Muslim nations.

How did the Holy Roman Empire differ from the Westphalian nation-state system?

The Holy Roman Empire was an empire with a central authority that could intervene in the domestic affairs of subordinate kingdoms, unlike the Westphalian system which emphasized equality and non-interference among nation-states.

What was the significance of the Treaty of Westphalia in shaping the modern international relations?

The Treaty of Westphalia established the principle of 'cuius regio, eius religio', granting religious freedom determined by the ruler, and recognized the sovereignty and equality of European nation-states, prohibiting interference in each other's domestic affairs.

What was the role of Martin Luther's protest in the development of the Westphalian nation-state system?

Martin Luther's protest against the Pope's authority led to the politicization of religious dissent, contributing to the Thirty Years' War and ultimately the Treaty of Westphalia, which laid the foundations for the modern system of nation-states.

How did the concept of 'civilization' differ in the pre-colonial East Asian region compared to the West?

In the pre-colonial East Asian region, civilization was perceived in concentric circles with China at the center, while in the West, the concept of civilization was more egalitarian and did not inherently rank nations based on their proximity to a perceived center.