Interstate System Development

International Relations The Interstate System Development of the Interstate System

Introduction to Interstate System Development

Before the development of the modern interstate system, people were organized into more mixed and overlapping political units, such as city-states, empires, and feudal fiefs. The modern interstate system arose in Europe, beginning after about ad 1500, when France and Austria emerged as powerful nations. The system grew to encompass the European continent over several centuries, although it long coexisted with other systems such as the Holy Roman Empire. With the colonization of much of the rest of the world by European nations, the European idea of nations was exported globally. After European colonies in Africa and Asia began to win their independence, they also aspired to become recognized as nations in the international system. Today, the legal basis for the universal application of these principles is the charter of the UN. The UN charter, adopted in 1945, explicitly recognizes the central principles of the interstate system.” (1)

Resources

Notes and References

• Information about Interstate System Development in the Encarta Online Encyclopedia

Guide to Interstate System Development