Session 20: Are transnational actors really that much significant?

         Authors of transnational theory often talks about the importance and growing dominance of non state actors in defining the foreign policy of a state. They talk about the economic interdependence of modern states, the flow of finance and other tangible and non tangible factors between the states and the flow of ideas. Some gave the idea of how non state actors like IMF effect the policies of a state which are indebted to it.
 
         About a couple of days ago, Pakistan rejected Saudi call to join Yemen conflict. Not surprisingly, the strongest opposition to it and of course after the fact that Pakistan needs to protect the Holy places, was the economic interests of Pakistan. About 1.5 million Pakistanis living in Saudi Arabia have sent colossal amount of remittance, which was calculated to be around $14 billion in fiscal year 2013. That amount is pretty much significant when one considers the wobbling nature of Pakistan's economy. However, this economic advantage does not stop lawmakers from rejecting the call of joining the coalition. If one talks about the flow of ideology and ideas, it is present there. Sharing of persons, it is there. Pakistan army is in Saudi Arabia for a long time now. The question remains then, how important are these factors seem to be when it comes to the critical issues of security, sovereignty and power politics.

         With this growing technology and the flow of information, finance and ideas does not necessarily undermine the traditional way of  perceiving the affairs of international politics. For example, why Pakistanis are more aware and responsive to the change in political scenarios of Iran, Afghanistan and other neighboring states? It is not a result of any mutual ideology, the term which certain people tend to manipulate for their own purposes but the fact that any change in the neighboring state will inevitably effect the politics of our nation.

         If we consider the role of these transnational organisations, there is no doubt that they are important in international politics. But there role is restricted by the government policies and interstate politics.