Where Did Countries Come From?

Getting to Today
European System
1648: Origin of countries 1789: Origin of citizenship

Globalization of European System

1945: Globalization of state/citizen

1618-1648: Thirty Years War

Variety of political units
Holy Roman Empire Catholic Church States (Catholic/Protestant/Secular) Free cities Merchant guilds Mercenary armies

1618-1648: Thirty Years War

Fault lines of the conflict
Catholic vs Protestant/secular states German states vs Holy Roman Empire France vs Spain Mercenaries

1648: Treaty of Westphalia

States as sole political actors State sovereignty and equality Professionalization of war International law between states Secularization of international politics

Modernized international politics, but not domestic politics - citizenship did not exist

Domestic Politics in Europe: Feudalism

Inherited monarchies Aristocracy Occupational castes Religious codes Serfdom/slavery

1789: French Revolution

Triggers Commoners denied political power Aristocratic privilege without responsibility Modern philosophy widely discussed Outcome Democracy Citizenship

Declaration of the Rights of Man

1. Men are born and remain free and equal in rights. Social distinctions may be founded only upon the general good. 2. The aim of all political association is the preservation of the natural rights of man. These rights are liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression. 3. The principle of all sovereignty resides essentially in the nation. No body nor individual may exercise any authority which does not proceed directly from the nation.

The World until WWII

States in Europe, the Americas, and Japan; but Empire elsewhere Some democracies with citizenship; but feudalism or tribalism in most places
25 democracies in 1919

End of WWII
United Nations Charter
Globalized the Treaty of Westphalia Sovereign equality of nations Decolonization An end to war

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Globalized the French Revolution End to racial/religious/gender/ethnic discrimination Preference for democracy

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

1. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. 2. Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status 3. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

Tensions in State/Citizen System

State sovereignty vs. human rights Other political systems Stateless people/areas Imposed states

Take Home Points

Three Events Shaped the Modern International System
Treaty of Westphalia (1648) French Revolution (1789) United Nations and Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1945)