Factors Promoting and Increasing Inter-State relations among States of the World.

Factors that Promotes & increases “Inter-State” friendly Relations among States of the world. What are these factors, which help promote friendly relation? Why powerful states ignore weaker states? Why weaker states need cooperation of major powers? This article/lecture would help students of BS MS International Relations, Political Science, History, Strategic Studies and Competitive Exams of the World. As man is a social animal of society so are the states in the International comity. As man cannot live and survive, alone so states cannot sustain individually. Therefore, like man state has to maintain relations with other states. The state has to maintain relations with another state mainly for two reasons one is to get favour or benefit and the other factor is fear. The benefit is accruing from trade and cooperation in various vital fields. The constant fear of being subjugated by other powerful and strong states compels states to maintain relations to preserve their integrity and safety. These factors started the history of international relations among states throughout the annals of history. Every state has different levels of interaction with different states according to circumstances and events in the world. Like men, the state has also a materialistic approach and wants to have to attain economic and diplomatic benefits. Economic and materialistic intentions are primary concerns in maintaining relations. International politics reveals that states have different levels of relations with other states due to various reasons. Some have very warm and close relations while many states have a low level of relations. The interaction of the world shows that the leaders of state seldom visit many countries while frequently visiting some countries. What is the reason for this high and low level of interaction? The US Presidents (Bush Senior, Bush Jr, Bill Clinton, Barak Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden) never bothered to visit Pakistan or other small states while visiting Israel, European countries and India despite Pakistan’s sacrifice and efforts in combating the so-called war against terrorism and defeating Communism and helping in disintegrating USSR. They frequently visited Saudi Arabia, China, Japan, Britain and Russia. They even do not visit to small countries of Europe, Africa, and Asia. The question agitates the mind that what is the reason behind this apathetic attitude in International Relations. There are various factors and reasons for low and high levels of International Relations. We have to discuss these factors, which are affecting and increasing the International Relations among countries of World. There are tangible and intangible factors, which affect and promote the Inter-State relations of states in the global system. Many factors narrated by the western writer were in their favour but following the end of WW 11 and eventually the end of the cold war, these factors have lost their relevance in international Relations. These below mentioned tangible and intangible factors directly or indirectly affect the nature of relations among states. 1. Geography -Topography and Geopolitics. 2. Natural Resources. 3. Population. 4. Economic factors. 5. Modern Technology and Military advancement. 6. Cultural, Social and Historical Factors 7. Political Stability and form of Government. 8. Wisdom of Leadership and National Morale. 9. Quality of Diplomacy in International System 10. Ideology 11. International Power Structure or Global Strategic Environment 12. Public Opinion 13. Membership in Alliances and International Treaties This article/ Lecture throws light on essential and main promoting factors. 1. Geography, Natural Resources, population. The geography, population, natural, and human resources of a state are an important factor that affects various aspects of inter state relations in one-way or another. Geography is a permanent factor yet it has lost its position as a deterministic factor due to unimaginable technological innovations. In today’s world USA, Russia, China, Britain, European Union is playing an effective role in the world affairs not because of their vast size but because of combination of above-mentioned factors. There are many other lager states but their role in International Relations is negligible. Ideally, located states enjoy the fruits of their geography that compel other states to maintain relation for their economic and strategic benefit. The ideal location of Pakistan, which is at the confluence of Middle East, West Asia, Central Asia and South Asia and adjacent to Indian Ocean, gives it enormous importance in international politics. The major powers of world wishes to have cordial relations with Pakistan. The USSR could not gain foothold in Indian Ocean due to unfriendly relations with Pakistan. The US, Russia and China are dependent on the cooperation of Pakistan to meet their interest in the Middle East, and Africa. Inter state Relations of the state are not always dependent upon one factor. The countries of the Middle East, even with small sizes but with abundant Natural resources and central location, have been playing a very active and important role in global politics and enjoying status. Their relations is much high as compared to other countries. Japan is relatively a small-sized state and yet its role in international relations has been active and influential due to its technological advancement and economic development. Israel, despite being a small-sized state has been influencing the course of international politics in the Middle East, Europe, and the United States. England and Japan being islands have been more secure. Similarly, the USA far away from Europe and Asia remains secure from attack. However, the transformation of war technology and mode of attack by non-state actors have not spared any country's security. The terrorists attack on United States by non-state actors has transformed the course of International thinking and vulnerability. In current world politics, the geographic factor has lost its importance due to the staunch ideological spirit of self-immolation, and covert support by adversaries to non-state actors. The topography of the land, its fertility, climate, and location are the major geographic factors that influence the relations of a state. Suitable topographic factors can promote International Relations and compel other states to establish relationships. The population is a potent source of national power provided states utilized human resources efficiently. The educated, innovative and productive population contributes to the economy of the country while the unproductive population is a burden on the state. Those countries who have efficiently utilized their natural resources and Human resources became powerful in the global politics. The productive human resources have taken their state to the highest level of economic development, and technological advancements. The United States, European, and Chinese productive population has vindicated this fact. The un-productive or only consuming population of 57 Islamic countries endowed with enormous natural resources also vindicates the fact that they are still dependent. Natural resources are the gift of nature. The mere presence of natural and raw materials is not enough. Those countries that utilized their natural resources are enjoying good relations with a majority of states and securing their vital national interests. The majorities of states have abundant natural resources but due to lack of technological expertise are dependent on technologically advanced powers. Large quantities of natural resources have made it possible for the Middle East and Persian Gulf nations to establish relations with countries that are dependent on energy, which is the lifeline of their industrial development. The natural resources and capacity to explore it is directly linked with the level of inter state relations. 2. Economic Development. Economic development has become a vital determinant factor in measuring IR. Much depends on the capacity of the state to attain economic development by exploiting and utilizing bestowed natural and human resources. The US, China, and Russia became economic power by utilizing their resources. These states are highly industrialized and economically developed states. These economically developed states are using foreign aid as a tool for securing their vital global interest. In fact, economically, technologically and industrially developed states are playing a more vigorous role in international relations than less developed countries. Thus, the level and nature of economic development, industrialization, and modernization are important factors in boosting International Relations. The ability to provide technical know-how to less developed states has been an instrument of influence. The developed states have always used the technology factor for putting pressure on developing nations. The rise of Russia, Britain, France, China, Germany, and Japan are typical examples. The new version of the technology developed by the major powers has outdated old technology. The sophisticated Aircraft carriers of the USA, Russia, Britain, and China are more powerful than many states. New technologies possessed by major powers have compelled states to dance to their tune. 3. Military preparedness, Innovations in Military technology. Military preparedness is the most apparent and tangible factor for boosting state International relations and procuring strategic and economic interests. The technological innovation, quality, and quantity of armed forces are vital factors in the military preparedness of the state. The technology of warfare and strategy has determined the fate of nations since time immemorial. Less military preparedness would invite attacks from powerful countries. Afghanistan, Kuwait, and recently Ukraine could not protect their sovereignty and territory from attacks. The military preparedness of Pakistan is a deterrent to India’s expansionist policy. A state with a high degree of warfare techniques has superiority over an adversary. These cumulative factors also leave an impact on International intercourse among states. The social, cultural, and historical factors of states are important and valuable factors for enhancing International Relations. The weakness of most of the Asian and African states has been largely due to the presence of internal dissension and conflicts among their peoples. The political stability in any state influences the level of inter state Relations. The political, economic, and strategic wisdom of leadership is an invaluable element for boosting International Relations. Their prudent and judicious decisions have a direct impact on international Relations. Wise leaders have dragged out many degraded countries from a quagmire of degradation. International power structure or Global strategic environment is also a boosting factor. The International Relations of a country is largely determined by the quality of diplomacy. Viable and potent diplomacy can bring warring states an agreement. The ideology can be an effective factor in enhancing international relations. Ideology forges unity among various states professing the same faith and thus contributes to the enhancement of their international influence in IR. Membership in a military alliance and Regional organizations also contribute to enhancing IR in the International system due to alliance with one or another powerful group. Prof Abdul Qayum Mangi, Principal, College of Superior Services Sukkur Sindh Pakistan. The END