Globalization and the Nation-State:
The Decline of the Nation State?
Three Views of The Future
Three views of the future are possible:
1. The fragmentation of modern life and the transformation of the nation-state involve the
disintegration of society.
2. The new forms of life and relationships developing in a globalized world make the idea
of society obsolescent.
3. “Society” will persist if we revise our notion of it to take account of its global dimension.
Globalization and Future of the Nation-State
● Concept of sovereign nation-states is increasingly being challenged by globalization
● Globalization is a contested concept. There are three positions in the debate (Sorensen
2008: 604-606; also for definitions):
1. Retreat of the state position: States are losing power and influence.
2. The state-centric position: States have even managed to expand their capacities
for regulation and control.
3. Pragmatic position: Process of state transformation. States are “winning” and
“losing” at the same time.
● However, according to Sorensen (2008) these characteristics are transformed by
globalization
1. The economy is increasingly embedded in cross-border networks. “Shallow and deep
integration”
2. National government is replaced by multi-level governance
3. Nation: Globalization reinforces collective identities “above” and “below” the nation.
There is evidence of an emerging “western civic identity” but also of “resistant
identities”.
4. Sovereignty: the rule of non-intervention is challenged in a world of multi-level
governance. But still consent of states is needed! States in process of transformation:
“post-modern” states.
The Decline of the Nation State?
Three Views of The Future
Three views of the future are possible:
1. The fragmentation of modern life and the transformation of the nation-state involve the
disintegration of society.
2. The new forms of life and relationships developing in a globalized world make the idea
of society obsolescent.
3. “Society” will persist if we revise our notion of it to take account of its global dimension.
Globalization and Future of the Nation-State
● Concept of sovereign nation-states is increasingly being challenged by globalization
● Globalization is a contested concept. There are three positions in the debate (Sorensen
2008: 604-606; also for definitions):
1. Retreat of the state position: States are losing power and influence.
2. The state-centric position: States have even managed to expand their capacities
for regulation and control.
3. Pragmatic position: Process of state transformation. States are “winning” and
“losing” at the same time.
● However, according to Sorensen (2008) these characteristics are transformed by
globalization
1. The economy is increasingly embedded in cross-border networks. “Shallow and deep
integration”
2. National government is replaced by multi-level governance
3. Nation: Globalization reinforces collective identities “above” and “below” the nation.
There is evidence of an emerging “western civic identity” but also of “resistant
identities”.
4. Sovereignty: the rule of non-intervention is challenged in a world of multi-level
governance. But still consent of states is needed! States in process of transformation:
“post-modern” states.
