In the article, Transnational Relations and World Politics: An Introduction, Joseph Nye Jr. and Robert Keohane have shed light on one of the important, and also the forgotten, topics of International Relations: Transnational Relations and the role of transnational organizations in international politics. The authors of this article describe transnational interactions as "the movement of tangible or intangible items across state boundaries when at least one actor is not an agent of a government or an intergovernmental organization" (Keohane and Nye 332). They have distinguished four major types of global interaction: communication, transportation, finance and travel. On the other hand, interstate transactions take place when these global interactions are sustained by governments of nation-states. All the activities of transnational organizations are defined as transnational relations. One of the important features of these organizations is that they "remain linked primarily to one particular national society" (Keohane and Nye 332) or to their mother country such as IBM has its headquarters in the US. Transnational organizations include global religious organizations like Vatican, international trade union secretariats and multinational business enterprises etc.
Keohane and Nye Jr. have rightly acknowledged the concern of Arnold Wolfers that IR hasn't given the necessary attention to the role played by transnational actors and organizations in international politics. They have argued that the "importance of inter-societal interactions and transnational actors in international affairs, the impact of these phenomena on world politics has often been ignored both in policy-oriented writings and more theoretical works" (Keohane and Nye 332). Surely the transnational organizations do have a say and play an important role in world politics and I do agree that the importance should be given to them. The biggest example is that of Vatican. The entire world watches the appointment ceremony of the Pope. Back in May 2014, newly appointed Pope Francis did make efforts in promoting peace between Israel and Palestine and in the region of Gaza by inviting the presidents, along with their religious leaders, of both countries in Vatican City. I do remember watching both the presidents meeting Pope Francis in the beautiful gardens of Vatican, where they all and other religious leaders gave speeches and made a prayer in Arabic, Italian and Hebrew, just to signify their unity and their joined commitment of bringing peace not only in Gaza but also between Israel and Palestine. Furthermore, the nation-states do give strong considerations to the statements made by the Pope and the Vatican. For instance, just two hours ago, the Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has condemned Pope Francis for associating the mass killing of Armenians back in 1915 as genocide and he has also warned the Pope from making such statements again. Supporting his president's condemnation of Pope's statements, Ahmet Davutoglu, the Turkish prime minister, has argued that the "pontiff has joined an evil front plotting against Turkey" (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/15/pope-evil-front-turkey_n_7069444.html).
Pope's condemnation of Armenian genocide in Ottoman-era and Turkey's response to the pope's words by recalling its ambassador to the Vatican shows how important actors these transnational organizations really are to international politics. Therefore, Keohane and Nye have rightly argued that "states are by no means the only actors in world politics" (Keohane and Nye 330). You are not alone in this game!
Keohane and Nye Jr. have rightly acknowledged the concern of Arnold Wolfers that IR hasn't given the necessary attention to the role played by transnational actors and organizations in international politics. They have argued that the "importance of inter-societal interactions and transnational actors in international affairs, the impact of these phenomena on world politics has often been ignored both in policy-oriented writings and more theoretical works" (Keohane and Nye 332). Surely the transnational organizations do have a say and play an important role in world politics and I do agree that the importance should be given to them. The biggest example is that of Vatican. The entire world watches the appointment ceremony of the Pope. Back in May 2014, newly appointed Pope Francis did make efforts in promoting peace between Israel and Palestine and in the region of Gaza by inviting the presidents, along with their religious leaders, of both countries in Vatican City. I do remember watching both the presidents meeting Pope Francis in the beautiful gardens of Vatican, where they all and other religious leaders gave speeches and made a prayer in Arabic, Italian and Hebrew, just to signify their unity and their joined commitment of bringing peace not only in Gaza but also between Israel and Palestine. Furthermore, the nation-states do give strong considerations to the statements made by the Pope and the Vatican. For instance, just two hours ago, the Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has condemned Pope Francis for associating the mass killing of Armenians back in 1915 as genocide and he has also warned the Pope from making such statements again. Supporting his president's condemnation of Pope's statements, Ahmet Davutoglu, the Turkish prime minister, has argued that the "pontiff has joined an evil front plotting against Turkey" (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/15/pope-evil-front-turkey_n_7069444.html).
Pope's condemnation of Armenian genocide in Ottoman-era and Turkey's response to the pope's words by recalling its ambassador to the Vatican shows how important actors these transnational organizations really are to international politics. Therefore, Keohane and Nye have rightly argued that "states are by no means the only actors in world politics" (Keohane and Nye 330). You are not alone in this game!
No comments:
Post a Comment