Unit 2
Where and When Did the International System Begin?

Overview

Unit 2 explores how the current world system came into existence. Lesson 3 challenges the claim of many realist international relations scholars that international relations or global politics emerged with the rise of the system of sovereign states following the Peace of Westphalia (1648). Several examples of world systems illustrate the existence of global politics prior to Westphalia and also show different ways of discussing the world order or international system.

Lesson 4 examines the complementary rise of capitalism and the state system, and illustrates how the Protestant Reformation, together with the expansionary forces of capitalism, led to the Westphalian state system and to its impact around the world. We will consider the component parts of the Westphalian system and the capitalist world economy and their effects on today’s global politics.

Lesson 3
Understanding Historical International Relations and Global Politics

Learning Objectives

When you have completed Lesson 3, you should be able to achieve the following learning objectives.

1. Describe how the current global political system or order was shaped historically.
2. Identify and contrast several different world orders.
3. Explain how the realist international system theory accounts for historical international relations.
4. Describe how the world-systems theory addresses historical global politics.

Lesson 4
The Peace of Westphalia and the State System

Learning Objectives

When you have completed Lesson 4, you should be able to achieve the following learning objectives.

1. Provide a detailed description of the component parts of the Westphalian state system and the capitalist world economy.
2. Discuss how capitalism and religion shaped the Westphalian state system.
3. Discuss the extent of influence the Westphalian world order has had and still has throughout the world.
4. Discuss the consolidation of political and economic power in Europe in the early modern period.