Nationalism and the Modern World
Are National Governments at Risk of Losing Power to IGOs?
The concept of the nation-state was developed almost 5 centuries ago, and since then it has dominated as the center of all political and international affairs. Although many believe that the nation-state will remain the dominant international actor well into the foreseeable future, the 20th century saw it gradually weaken. Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs) are now playing a greater role in the international arena and are vying to replace nation-states with a unified world government.
The Rising Power of Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs)
Intergovernmental Organizations such as the United Nations (U.N.) and the European Union (E.U.) have been steadily gaining power over the last half-century. Since the end of the Cold War the United States has dominated the international arena. Increasingly, smaller and less powerful nations have found that cooperating through IGOs can sometimes serve as a counterweight to U.S. power. This was demonstrated during the 2002-2003 lead up to the Iraq War.
Despite being the dominant military power, the U.S. sought approval from the U.N. to preemptively invade Iraq for allegedly illegally obtaining weapons of mass destruction. The overwhelming consensus was against the U.S. invasion. The U.N. did not approve of the invasion, and its position was further solidified by the lack of WMDs found in Iraq after the invasion. The U.S. found that by going against the U.N. it lost the respect and cooperation of many in the international community, thus proving that the days of acting in one’s own national interest without the threat of a backlash was over.
The Global Recession and the Push for More International Regulations
The global recession has highlighted the need for more cooperation between nations in the international community. Almost all developed and developing nations are feeling the adverse effects of the recession. What began as a failure of the banking industry in mainly Western nations quickly spread throughout all industries and all nations causing a global economic downturn.
Many nations are trying to coordinate recovery efforts through regional IGO’s such as the EU and international IGO’s such as the IMF. World leaders are also pushing to give international organizations like the IMF and the World Bank more authority to enforce economic regulations and provide oversight. Skeptics worry that this type of power could undermine the sovereignty of nations while proponents see it as the way forward to a more efficient globalized economy in which IGO’s play a far greater role in controlling international commerce and politics.
The Future of Nation-States in the 21st Century
Nations will no doubt continue to exist as separate entities well into the foreseeable future. However, the economic hardship brought on by the global recession may push the balance of power further into the hands of international organizations. The 21st century will undoubtedly see a much greater role for IGO’s in international politics and commerce.
In Europe, for instance, the EU has formed what can almost be considered a confederation. Most nations under the EU have the same currency and abide by the EU’s economic regulations. The nations of the EU even have a singular court and are developing a joint military. Further cooperation could lead to an accepted constitution. Whatever the case, Europe and the EU may just be a preview of what is to come on a global scale; a unified, world body working together through powerful international organizations.
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