Viability of the Nation-State

2253 Words5 Pages

The uncertainty of the nation-state's continued viability in light of the many effects of globalization has led to a large amount of dialogue on the subject. In particular, aspects of the global economy are frequently referenced to when discussing possible decreases in power. Some of the primary trends are increased levels of FDI, the growing amount of production lines that cross borders, influences of technology and the internet, and increasingly global flows of labor. These have certainly made it difficult for the nation-state to retain power over its domestic policies. In many instances, the power of the nation-state has ever increasing constraints being placed on it. In some cases, but not all, this leads to a weakening of state power as an economic choice becomes unavailable, such as regulating FDI on the internet. There are also cases in which the nation-state changes without necessarily loosing power, such as the turn towards credible treats and the prominence of non-state actors. There is also a strong possibility that globalization's economic effects influence different areas to different degrees. Within the developed world, the increasing integration can strengthen some nation-states as it weakens others. In the case of the global south, it's possible that by missing out on many economic benefits of globalization they are simultaneously being excluded from it's repercussions for state power. On the other hand, the level of nation-state power in these countries is skewed. It's hard to say whether a nation-state in sub-saharan Africa is losing economic power or it simply never had it in the first place. This paper will focus on the negative implications of the state's economic power form the limiting qualities ...

... middle of paper ...

...does not strongly endanger the nation-state, and in some cases may make a few states stronger, the tables will turn quickly the nation-state will not be able to adapt quickly enough without sacrificing further power or sovereignty. There are also implications for the nation-states ability to govern in light of globalization and its integration. In the realm of sovereignty, there has been and will continue to be a rise in the prominence of non-state actors and previously non-important states. With non-state actors, the weakening of the state is not guaranteed, while the rise of developing countries does at least provide for a lessening of the power differential. Essentially, the potential for the weakening of the nation-state is very strong economically and probable politically, but a great deal remains to influence this process that open up both possibilities.

Open Document