PO102
Wordcount: 1522
Are states interconnected?
The world we live in is characterized by its interconnected and interdependent nature. As
a result, globalization has changed the nature of international relationships forever. Technology,
trade, and transportation advances have allowed the flow of people, goods, and ideas from across
borders and cultures. This is known as cultural exchange and is the root cause of the growing
interdependence and interconnectedness; in other words, globalization is evident in all aspects of
our modern world. This research paper analyzes the economic, political, and social factors that
have promoted said globalization.Through exploring such topics, this paper aims to situate itself
within the broader study of politics beyond borders to provide a deeper understanding of the
interconnected and interdependent nature between current states and the future implication of
this on economic and political development.
States are interconnected, and this topic has received excessive attention from various
scholars. Economists, among them, have contributed to the understanding of economic relations
between and among modern states. We will draw on two academic articles to explain this
phenomenon. The first is written by Neil M. Coe, Dariusz Wojcik, and Jennifer Johns, titled
“Global Production Networks and the Analysis of Economic Development," which was
published in the Review of International Political Economy in 2015. The authors argue that
global production networks(GPNs) are dominant actors in the global economy and drive
economic development. These GPNs are responsible for most global trade, involving many firm
and non-firm actors involved in producing goods. According to the authors, “ The rapid growth
of GPNs indicates a global economy in which economic activity is increasingly organized
through international value chains and global supply networks”(p.741). They highlight their
importance and value in said interconnectedness of states on an economic level. Another focal
point of the article centers around how the GPNs have created new opportunities for economic
development and integration between countries. “GPNs have the potential to promote industrial
upgrading, technological diffusion, and the spread of knowledge and expertise”(p.741). The
, second article is “The role of Foreign Direct Investment in International Relations,” Published in
1993 in the Journal of International Affairs by Karl P. Savant. Savant argues that FDI has
become a critical component of international economic relations. According to him, “FDI is a
significant source of international capital flows, and it has played an increasingly important role
in the economy”(p.409). FDI refers to investments by firms in another country intending to
establish a long-term positive relationship. His article alludes to their role in explaining the
interconnectedness of modern states on an economic level through the lens of global production
networks and foreign direct investment. “FDI has the potential to create jobs, transfer
technology, and contribute to the economic growth of host countries” (p.409). A country's ability
to attract FDIs benefits them in increased investment flows and access to technology. In
summation, the previous two academic articles both illustrate how GPNs and FDIs explain the
interconnectedness and globalization of current modern states. They have created a new
opportunity for economic development and integration between countries and have become an
essential to international economic relations.
Moving on, in the political realm of global state interconnectedness, the actors range
from formal intergovernmental organizations to informal networks and alliances. We will draw
on two articles for evidence on this matter. In the first article, “The Transportationalization of
International Relations and its Implications for the state,” published in 2001 by Robert O.
Keohane and Joseph S. Nye Jr., they argue that state interconnectedness is seen through actors
such as multinational corporations(MNCs), non-governmental organizations(NGOs) and
international organization(IGOs). According to the authors, “ the most important and distinctive
feature of the contemporary international system is the rise of transnational actors that operate
across state boundaries (Keohane and Nye Jr., 2001 p3). They influence state behaviors and
policy outcomes, and in turn, this creates globalization between states. The authors also comment
on the importance of international relations on the state's role in global governance. “The power
of states to control international events has been limited by the growing number and diversity of
nonstate actors, whose influence on international outcomes has increased”(p.23). The authors
suggest states must adapt to this changing environment and develop new strategies for engaging
transnational actors. The Second article is “international Regime: Two approaches” by Stephen
D Krasner in 1982 and offers a different perspective on how states are interconnected, politically
speaking that is. Krasner argues that the globalization of states is seen through international
Wordcount: 1522
Are states interconnected?
The world we live in is characterized by its interconnected and interdependent nature. As
a result, globalization has changed the nature of international relationships forever. Technology,
trade, and transportation advances have allowed the flow of people, goods, and ideas from across
borders and cultures. This is known as cultural exchange and is the root cause of the growing
interdependence and interconnectedness; in other words, globalization is evident in all aspects of
our modern world. This research paper analyzes the economic, political, and social factors that
have promoted said globalization.Through exploring such topics, this paper aims to situate itself
within the broader study of politics beyond borders to provide a deeper understanding of the
interconnected and interdependent nature between current states and the future implication of
this on economic and political development.
States are interconnected, and this topic has received excessive attention from various
scholars. Economists, among them, have contributed to the understanding of economic relations
between and among modern states. We will draw on two academic articles to explain this
phenomenon. The first is written by Neil M. Coe, Dariusz Wojcik, and Jennifer Johns, titled
“Global Production Networks and the Analysis of Economic Development," which was
published in the Review of International Political Economy in 2015. The authors argue that
global production networks(GPNs) are dominant actors in the global economy and drive
economic development. These GPNs are responsible for most global trade, involving many firm
and non-firm actors involved in producing goods. According to the authors, “ The rapid growth
of GPNs indicates a global economy in which economic activity is increasingly organized
through international value chains and global supply networks”(p.741). They highlight their
importance and value in said interconnectedness of states on an economic level. Another focal
point of the article centers around how the GPNs have created new opportunities for economic
development and integration between countries. “GPNs have the potential to promote industrial
upgrading, technological diffusion, and the spread of knowledge and expertise”(p.741). The
, second article is “The role of Foreign Direct Investment in International Relations,” Published in
1993 in the Journal of International Affairs by Karl P. Savant. Savant argues that FDI has
become a critical component of international economic relations. According to him, “FDI is a
significant source of international capital flows, and it has played an increasingly important role
in the economy”(p.409). FDI refers to investments by firms in another country intending to
establish a long-term positive relationship. His article alludes to their role in explaining the
interconnectedness of modern states on an economic level through the lens of global production
networks and foreign direct investment. “FDI has the potential to create jobs, transfer
technology, and contribute to the economic growth of host countries” (p.409). A country's ability
to attract FDIs benefits them in increased investment flows and access to technology. In
summation, the previous two academic articles both illustrate how GPNs and FDIs explain the
interconnectedness and globalization of current modern states. They have created a new
opportunity for economic development and integration between countries and have become an
essential to international economic relations.
Moving on, in the political realm of global state interconnectedness, the actors range
from formal intergovernmental organizations to informal networks and alliances. We will draw
on two articles for evidence on this matter. In the first article, “The Transportationalization of
International Relations and its Implications for the state,” published in 2001 by Robert O.
Keohane and Joseph S. Nye Jr., they argue that state interconnectedness is seen through actors
such as multinational corporations(MNCs), non-governmental organizations(NGOs) and
international organization(IGOs). According to the authors, “ the most important and distinctive
feature of the contemporary international system is the rise of transnational actors that operate
across state boundaries (Keohane and Nye Jr., 2001 p3). They influence state behaviors and
policy outcomes, and in turn, this creates globalization between states. The authors also comment
on the importance of international relations on the state's role in global governance. “The power
of states to control international events has been limited by the growing number and diversity of
nonstate actors, whose influence on international outcomes has increased”(p.23). The authors
suggest states must adapt to this changing environment and develop new strategies for engaging
transnational actors. The Second article is “international Regime: Two approaches” by Stephen
D Krasner in 1982 and offers a different perspective on how states are interconnected, politically
speaking that is. Krasner argues that the globalization of states is seen through international
