Kirshner: Globalization, American Power, and International Security

Kirshner, J. 2008. Globalization, American Power, and International Security. Political Science Quarterly 123, no. 3: 363-389.

How will increasing globalization affect American security? "Switching from polo on horseback to water polo does not change the principals or the objectives, but the contest is still profoundly transformed by the change in setting. Some players, for example, might have been much better riders than they are swimmers" (363).

"This paper draws three principal conclusions: First, globalization, in aggregate and on average tends to reduce the autonomy and capacity of states, although in some ways states may find their powers enhanced. Second, because the processes of globalization affect various states (and their relative capacities) differently, globalization affects the balance of power between states. In particular, as the biggest fish in a more open pond, the United States emerges as relatively more powerful than other states. However, and third, the United States, nevertheless, finds its own autonomy and capacity encroached upon by the processes of globalization, and will attract both more violent resistance and political opposition to its international ambitions" (363).

Definition: "...an array of phenomena that derive from unorganized and stateless forces but that generate pressures that are felt by states" (364).

This paper argues that globalization is a contingent phenomena that is not unique to history in the broadest sense. However, while it may not be unique, that does not mean that it is not one of the most pressing issues of the day.

This article in an excellent overview of globalization and security issues, though it does not focus enough on what I am currently working. ABSOLUTELY read this if you are interested in globalization, conflict, balance of power, the US and the changing nature of power politics.