MULTINATIONALISM ON THE MAP

CHAPTER INTRODUCTION

The world today presents a complex map of political entities outlined by lines representing political boundaries. Such lines show the geographic limits of the political unit but actually represent much more. Originally serving primarily as trespass lines to indicate the limits of claim to a portion of the Earth by a group or culture, time and technology have combined to demand that they be quite precise, a condition fairly new in human history. Most boundaries were established before much was known about the interior of the earth and the resources that lay hidden there. Add to this the increasing activity of many states in controlling adjacent areas and you begin to appreciate the enormity of the problems. Like other components of human culture, boundaries represent a history of adjustment, evolution, and experience which must adjust to new conditions and circumstances if they are to be beneficial to humanity.

Ours is a world of contradictions. At every turn we are reminded of the interconnections of nations, states, and regions, yet separatism and calls for autonomy are rampant. In the 1990s, we appear to be caught between the forces of division and unification. Despite these conflicts and contradictions there is today hardly a country in existence that is not involved in some multinational association. There is ample proof that such association is advantageous to the partners and that being left out can have serious negative effects on state and nation.

Supranationalism

The phenomenon of interstate cooperation is quite old. In ancient Greece , city-states formed leagues to protect and promote mutual benefits. This practice was imitated many centuries later by the cities of Europe ’s Hanseatic League . But the degree to which this idea has taken root in the modern world is unprecedented. The twentieth century has witnessed the establishment of numerous international associations in political, economic, cultural, and military spheres, giving rise to the term supranationalism (technically, the efforts by three or more states to forge associations for mutual benefit and in pursuit of shared goals).

Supranational unions range from global organizations such as the United Nations and its predecessor, the League of Nations , to regional associations such as the European Union. All signify the inadequacy of the state system as a framework for dealing with important issues and problems in the world as it approaches the twenty-first century. In the late 1990s, there are more than 100 supranational organizations, counting subsidiaries. The more states participate in such multilateral associations, the less likely they are to act alone in pursuit of a self-interest that might put them at odds with neighbors.

League of Nations to United Nations

The modem beginnings of the supranational movement came with the conferences that followed the end of World War 1. The concept of an international organization that would include all the states of the world led to the creation of the League of Nations in 1919. The league was born of a worldwide desire to prevent future aggression, but the failure of the United States to join dealt the organization a severe blow. It collapsed in the chaos of the beginning of World War II, but it had spawned other organizations such as the Permanent Court of International Justice which would become the International Court of Justice after World War II. It also initiated the first international negotiations on maritime boundaries and related aspects of the law of the sea.

The United Nations was formed at the end of World War II to foster international security and cooperation. Representation of countries in the United Nations has been more universal than it was in the League (text Figure 27-1). In 1998, there were 185 member states with only a handful of states still not members. It is important to remember that the United Nations is not a world government; member states participate voluntarily but may agree to abide by specific UN decisions.

Among the functions of the United Nations the imposition of international sanctions and mobilization of peacekeeping operations are the most high-profile. Peacekeeping has become a costly and controversial responsibility, with the UN active militarily in more than a dozen countries in 1998. The organization’s peacekeeping function provides major benefits to the international community. Another arena in which the United Nations has accomplished much is the law of the sea through which are channeled the extension of national claims over the oceans.

Regional Multinational Unions

The global manifestation of international cooperation is most strongly expressed at the regional level. States have begun to join together to further their political ideologies, economic objectives, and strategic goals. Among many regional multinational associations, the European Union is the most complex and far reaching. Originally known as Benelux it was formed by Belgium , the Netherlands , and Luxembourg before the end of World War II. Today, the 15 member states are likely to be joined by others within a decade.

Economic, military, cultural, and political forces are today affecting the activities of more than 60 major international organizations. The main motives for supranational cooperation are economic, but they are not the only ones. Along with economic prosperity, a shared military threat (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization [NATO] for example), appears to be equally strong in promoting international cooperation.

CHAPTER QUIZ

MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. The beginnings of the supranational movement came with the conferences that followed the end of:

a.   WW I

b.   WW II

c.   the Korean War

d.   the Gulf War

2. Which of the following functions of the United Nations has become the most costly and controversial.

a.   maintaining its own armed force

b.   boundary demarcation

c.   peacekeeping

d.   refugee control

3. By 1998, how many members were there in the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO).

a.   65

b.   49

c.   15

d.   39

4. Which of the following countries was the first to announce that it claimed not only the continental shelf adjacent to its coast but also the waters lying above it.

a.   Chile

b.   Peru

c.   the United states

d.   Argentina

5. The Territorial Sea designation allows countries to claim state sovereignty for a distance of   ?  nautical miles from their shorelines.

a.   12

b.   18

c.   24

d.  30

6. In 1998 there were more than  ?  multinational unions in the world.

a.   40

b.   50

c.   60

d.   70

7. The original name of the group that would ultimately become the European Union was:

a.   the Common Market

b.   Benelux

c.   the European Community

d.   the European Free Trade Union

8. Which member of the European Union is a concern for other members because of a possible dominance of the organization.

a.   England

b.   France

c.   Sweden

d.   Germany

9. Which member of the European Union joined as a result of legislative action rather than a referendum of the people of the country.

a.    England

b.    Denmark

c.    France

d.    Germany

10.  Progress toward European unification depends on:

a.    military alliances

b.    agreements on refugee questions

c.    economics

d.    a common currency decision

TRUE/FALSE QUESTIONS

1.     Supranationalism is a twentieth century phenomenon. (TF)

2.     International sanctions are designed to praise a country for its good behavior. (TF)

3.     The WHO is a part of the United Nations. (TF)

4.     The Truman Proclamation territorially claimed the continental shelves of the United States , and the sea above them. (TF)

5.     Benelux was the first interstate economic union. (TF)

6.     Today, interstate cooperation is widespread all around the world. (TF)

7.     Germany dominates the current EU. (TF)

8.     Any European country can join the EU. (TF)

9.     Political motives lie behind the forming of most all interstate unions. (TF)

10.     NATO is a military alliance between states, and membership is now spreading eastward in Europe . (TF)

STUDY QUESTIONS

1.     Define supranationalism. Why is it important?

2.     Why did the League of Nations fail? Did it accomplish anything?

3.     What was the primary reason for the formation of the United Nations? List and describe its subsidiaries and their purposes.

4.     List the main points in the process that led to ratification of the law of the sea, include the history. How does this law affect an ocean fronting country’s boundaries?

5.     Discuss the history leading to the formation of the EU. What problems does this organization face? In what other parts of the world are international associations being formed to reduce economic barriers?

6.     Beside economic concerns, what other kinds of alliances are being formed around the world today? Where are these located?