How has globalization changed the ability of the state to control its borders?

Oxford Academic (Oxford University Press)

8 Dec 201602:07

Summary

TLDRThe transcript discusses the impact of globalization on the state, debunking the early belief that globalization would render states obsolete. Instead, globalization has paradoxically both weakened and strengthened states. While it has reduced state control over borders and internal affairs, it has also heightened public demand for state intervention and protection against global threats like cheap imports and terrorism. Consequently, the state's role has transformed, becoming more crucial yet less autonomous in the face of transnational forces.

Takeaways

🌐 Globalization was initially thought to diminish the role of the state, but it has paradoxically strengthened it in some ways.
📚 The speaker taught international relations 30 years ago when the idea of the state's decline was prevalent.
🔮 Early globalization literature predicted the end of the state as the main actor in international affairs.
🏛 The state was considered a temporary phase in history, set to be replaced by multinational corporations, terrorist organizations, and international bodies.
🔄 However, globalization has both strengthened and weakened societal forces, affecting the state's ability to control its borders and internal affairs.
📉 The state's control over its borders has weakened, but its population's awareness has increased, leading to demands for more state intervention.
🛂 People are asking the state to control borders, regulate the influx of goods and people, and prevent terrorism, thus increasing the state's perceived necessity.
🔒 Despite the call for protection, globalization makes it more challenging for the state to provide such security due to the ease with which transnational forces operate.
🔄 The state is both more needed and less autonomous, reflecting a complex relationship with globalization.
🌍 Globalization has transformed the nature of the state rather than simply sweeping it away, as was once predicted.
📉 The paradox of globalization is that while it demands more state action, it simultaneously reduces the state's autonomy in fulfilling those demands.

Q & A

What was the initial view of globalization according to the speaker?
-The initial view of globalization was that it would change everything and sweep the state away, making it no longer the main actor in international relations.
How did people perceive the state in the context of globalization 30 years ago?
-People perceived the state as a temporary phase that would be replaced by multinational companies, terrorist organizations, and international organizations.
What has actually happened to the state with the advent of globalization?
-Globalization has both weakened and strengthened the state. While it is less able to control its borders and its population's demands, it is also being called upon more to address these issues.
What paradox does the speaker mention regarding the state and globalization?
-The paradox is that globalization, which was seen as diminishing the state's role, has actually made the state more needed while also making it less autonomous.
Why is it more difficult for the state to protect against terrorism in the age of globalization?
-Globalization makes it easier for international and transnational forces to operate, making it harder for the state to protect against terrorism.
What are some of the demands people make to the state in response to globalization?
-People demand the state to control borders, stop cheap goods from coming in, regulate immigration with proper visas, and prevent terrorism.
How has globalization affected the ability of the state to control its borders?
-Globalization has made it more difficult for the state to control its borders due to the increased movement of people and goods.
In what ways has globalization strengthened certain forces in society?
-Globalization has strengthened certain societal forces by making populations more aware of global events and more demanding of state intervention.
How does the speaker describe the transformation of the state due to globalization?
-The state has been transformed by globalization in that it is more needed by its population but less capable of acting independently due to global influences.
What is the overall message the speaker conveys about the relationship between globalization and the state?
-The overall message is that globalization has a complex impact on the state, simultaneously making it more necessary and more constrained, thereby transforming its nature.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 The Evolution of Globalization and the State

This paragraph discusses the initial optimistic views on globalization, which predicted the decline of the state in favor of multinational corporations and international organizations. Contrary to these predictions, globalization has both weakened and strengthened state power. While globalization makes it harder for states to control borders and internal affairs, it simultaneously increases citizens' demands for state intervention. This paradox reveals that globalization has transformed the role of the state, making it more necessary yet less autonomous.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Globalization

Globalization refers to the process of increased interconnectedness and interdependence among countries, primarily driven by economic and cultural exchanges. In the video, it is presented as a force that was initially thought to diminish the role of the state. However, the script points out that globalization has paradoxically strengthened the state in some ways by increasing its responsibilities, such as controlling borders and addressing concerns about terrorism.

💡State

The term 'state' in this context refers to a political entity with a centralized government exercising authority over a defined territory. The script discusses how the state was predicted to lose its significance with the rise of globalization, but instead, it has become more necessary due to the challenges posed by global forces, such as immigration and terrorism.

💡International Relations

International Relations is the study of interactions between nations and other global actors. The script mentions that when the speaker taught this subject 30 years ago, there was a belief that globalization would lead to the end of the state's dominance in international affairs, which has not come to pass.

💡Multinational Companies

Multinational companies are corporations that operate in multiple countries and are often seen as key drivers of globalization. The script suggests that these entities were expected to overshadow the state in the global landscape, but the state has remained a significant actor despite their influence.

💡Terrorist Organizations

Terrorist organizations are groups that use violence and intimidation to achieve political aims. The script highlights the paradox that while globalization was expected to diminish the state, it has also made it more challenging for states to control terrorism, thus increasing the state's role in security.

💡International Organizations

International organizations are entities like the United Nations or the World Trade Organization that operate across national borders. The script implies that these organizations were expected to take over from the state, but the state's role has not been diminished, as it still has to manage its relationship with these entities.

💡Borders

Borders in this context refer to the geographical boundaries that separate countries. The script discusses how globalization has made it more difficult for states to control their borders, leading to increased calls for state intervention to manage immigration and security issues.

💡Visas

Visas are official documents that allow individuals to enter or leave a country. The script points out that with globalization, there is a greater need for states to regulate entry through visas, reflecting the state's ongoing role in managing international movement.

💡Autonomy

Autonomy in this context refers to the independence or self-governance of a state. The script suggests that while globalization was expected to weaken the state, it has actually made the state less autonomous due to its increased dependence on managing global issues.

💡Paradox

A paradox is a statement or situation that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth. The script uses the term to describe the unexpected outcome that globalization, which was supposed to diminish the state, has in fact increased the state's responsibilities and importance.

💡Transformation

Transformation in this context refers to a profound change in form, appearance, or character. The script concludes that globalization has transformed the nature of the state, altering its role and responsibilities in the global system.

Highlights

Globalization was initially seen as a force that would diminish the role of the state.

30 years ago, there was a belief that the state would become less relevant in international relations.

The end of the state was predicted due to the rise of multinational companies, terrorist organizations, and international organizations.

However, globalization has not led to the end of the state as initially thought.

Globalization has paradoxically strengthened the state in some ways by increasing societal demands for state control.

People are calling on the state to control borders and regulate the influx of cheap goods and immigration more strictly.

The state is being asked to protect citizens from terrorism, despite globalization making it more challenging.

Globalization has transformed the nature of the state, making it both more needed and less autonomous.

The state is now less able to control its borders due to globalization.

Globalization has increased the awareness of populations about global issues, leading to higher expectations from the state.

Despite the rise of international forces, the state remains a central actor in the global landscape.

The paradox of globalization is that it both weakens and strengthens the state's role.

The state's autonomy has been reduced as it faces increased societal demands and global challenges.

Globalization has made it easier for transnational forces to operate, complicating the state's ability to protect its citizens.

The state's role in international relations has evolved rather than diminished due to globalization.

The historical continuum of the state's existence has been challenged by globalization but not replaced.

The messianic view of globalization has been replaced by a more nuanced understanding of its impact on the state.