Globalization and states sovereignty

Globalization and s Sovereignty Globalization is defined as increased and intensified flow of goods, capital, services, ideas, information, and people among countries that develop cross-border collaboration of number of economic, social, and cultural activities. The emergence of globalization has led to the inception of controversy that increased globalization is fading away the role, authority, and sovereignty of state. This paper intends to explain two opinions regarding state sovereignty and globalization. First, the impact of increased globalization on sovereignty of states is discussed and second, the future prospect of state’s sovereignty due to upsurge in globalization will be mentioned. A brief explanation, validated by researches and authors has been mentioned in the subsequent sections of this paper. State Sovereignty and Globalization According to Wang, (2004) a state is what has an “ absolute supremacy over internal affairs of the state, absolute right to govern its people, and liberty from external interruptions in the aforementioned matters” (Wang, 2004: 473). By this definition, a state can be considered as a sovereign entity as long as it has the capability of devising and implementing laws within its region, and can execute them without any external power or assistance and does not take into account any higher power above itself. Until the emergence of globalization, state has remained as a dominant political entity. Nowadays, it is considered that the power and authority of state has destabilized due to rise in multinational organization and other institutions such as International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, World Trade organization (WTO) etc. Due to this, states are gradually withdrawing themselves from participating in welfare, social, and economic activities (Pinto, 2000). Command economy is becoming more prevalent than market economy. States, nowadays, encourage people to follow the rule of “ self-help is best help.” (Wolf, 2001) Concisely, state is playing the role of facilitator rather than taking the responsibility of serving people from cradle to grave (Starkey, 2001). Proponents of globalization argue that it has resulted in upturn of telecommunication, promoted global interdependence, developed international trade, flourished liberal rhetoric. While, critics claim that globalization stands upon the base of state. If state is jeopardized, then globalization will shatter (Dicken, 2010). Future Prospects of Globalization and State Considering hefty interdependencies among states, evolution of multinational and benevolent organization, integration of international laws and jurisdictions, emergence of international agencies, it is stated that a decline in perception of sovereignty of state cannot be expected. Thowever, these days states are vulnerable to high rate of criminal and terrorists acts. Countries can no longer guarantee or protect its citizens and cannot function independently to resolve the problems and security concerns of civilians (Kranser 2001). It cannot be ignored that multinational corporations and other forces that have utilized most advantages from globalization, consistently require support from legal systems governed by states (Garland, 1996). Similarly, businesses and consumers depend on state to reinforce commerce and trade by acting as the entity of ‘ last resort’. Therefore, consumers and businesses depend on legal systems of states to facilitate and protect business operation (Kaldor 2003). Without the weakened position of state, this fact cannot be ignored that globalization cannot function without the foundation of nation’s state. Irrespective of the pressures imposed by globalization and new technologies, the state will transpire as custodian of jurisdiction and sovereignty. Argument in Support of State Sovereingty I agree with the statements put forward by Kaldor, (2003); Garland, (1996) and (Dicken, 2010). State holds the position of regulator and safeguards the nation and civilians. No matter what new technology is devised as a result of globalization, without the authorization of state, that technology cannot penetrate within the territory of that relevant state. Even now, in this era of globalization, there are number of technologies that are restricted from transmitting into specific states. It entirely depends on the regulatory authority of state about which technology to allow and which not. The example of recent case can be taken here, after the cartoon photos of Muhammad (P. B. U. H) that were developed by Facebook, as result of protest, the access to this site was banned in many muslim countries. Same goes with many other technological products that are restricted to access in specific countries and states. All this happens because state still holds the position of regulatory authority, and without the consent of state, a technology cannot surpass the boundaries of a state. Therefore, the role of state must not be misinterpreted. No matter, how much height technology elevates, state will always remain as a soveriegn entity being responsible to allow or restrict technological commodities. Works Cited Dicken, P 2010, Global Shift, 6th edn, Sage, London. Garland, D 1996, ‘“ The limits of the Sovereign state: strategies of crime in contemporary society.’, The British Journal of Criminology, vol 36, no. 4, pp. 448-449. Kaldor, M 2003, ‘The idea of global civil society.’, International Affairs, vol 79, no. 3, pp. 583-593. Kranser, SD 2001, ‘Sovereignty’, Foreign Policy, vol 122, pp. 20-29. Pinto, D 2000, ‘The Nation State: Will It Survive Globalisation?’, Journal Of Australian Taxation, vol 3, no. 2, pp. 136-154. Starkey, RAWR 2001, The Earthscan Reader in business and sustainable development, Earthscan. Wang, G 2004, ‘The impact of Globalization on State Sovereignty.’, Chinese Journal of International Law, vol 3, no. 2, pp. 473-483. Wolf, M 2001, ‘Will the nation state survive globalization?’, Foreign Affairs, vol 80, no. 1, pp. 187-190.