Supranationalism vs. Devolution

Supranationalism Cooperation among states for a common goal (political, economic, military, environmental) Can be connected with globalizing forces States may give up some political power (sovereignty) to join a supranational organization Examples: United Nations, European Union, African Union, NATO, NAFTA, ASEAN, OPEC, OAS, CIS,

European Union Primarily for economic purposes, but also politically, environmentally, and security oriented Economic changes: Border-free work, Euro currency (in most members), Free trade in EU, Free flow of currency across borders Has made EU a much more powerful player in global economy Member states elect representatives to EU Parliament

European Union EU Members Primarily for economic purposes, but also politically, environmentally, and security oriented Economic changes: Border-free work, Euro currency (in most members), Free trade in EU, Free flow of currency across borders Has made EU a much more powerful player in global economy Member states elect representatives to EU Parliament

African Union Goals To accelerate the process of integration in the continent to enable it play its rightful role in the global economy while addressing multifaceted social, economic and political problems compounded as they are by certain negative aspects of globalisation....to rid the continent of the remaining vestiges of colonization and apartheid; to promote unity and solidarity among African States; to coordinate and intensify cooperation for development; to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Member States and to promote international cooperation within the framework of the United Nations.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations Main aims: To accelerate the economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region... To promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law in the relationship among countries of the region and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter. To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance on matters of common interest in the economic, social, cultural, technical, scientific and administrative fields

Devolution The breakdown of a state into smaller political units Local ethno-nationalism brings changes: political instability, regional separatism, creates new states/ borders, localizes power in smaller regions, economic instability, and mass migration (refugees/ethnic cleansing) Examples: Sudan, Yugoslavia, Soviet Union, Indonesia Examples of separatists movements: Kurds, Basques, Chechnya, Dagestan, Aceh, Tibet, East Turkestan, Punjab (India), Balochistan,

Basque Separatists The Basque country straddles the Pyrenees Mountains in France ad Spain Basques are linguistically/ethnically different from Spanish and French, and have advocated independence since the 1950s ETA, the Basque separatist group has used terrorist tactics

Former Yugoslavia Yugoslavia was created as a multi-ethnic state at end of WWI to unite all South Slavic speakers Relative peace under Josep Tito 1953-1980 Yugoslavia has seven neighbors, six republics, five nationalities, four languages, three religions, two alphabets, and one dinar. Balkanization in 1990s: wars and ethnic cleansing broke country into Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, and Bosnia & Herzegovina - border disputes Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008

Kurds Kurds are a state-less nation spread between Turkey, Syria, Iran, and Iraq Have advocated for independence since end of WWI PKK (Kurdish Workers Party) has fought armed conflict/used terrorism against governments to gain autonomy/independence for Kurdistan Kurds have been discriminated against and oppressed in several of the countries in which they live