Question

Compare and contrast functionalism and neo-functionalism. ?

18. What is the three-level structure of world politics according to the English School?

Answer 1

Compare and contrast functionalism and neo-functionalism?

Functionalism

Functionalism as a theory, arises from the European Integration. It is based on the basis of Human Corporation among countries which require mutual benefit while at the same time would want to keep their sovereign rights as an active issue.

Functionalism advocates, that relationships between countries are necessary for mutual help to one another, in specific functional areas, such as technological and health care development.

It is a restrictive form of trade, whereby it believes that to protect the sovereign rights of a country, it should engage in trade and commerce but limit its transactions to the core functional areas than opening all trade barriers.

For example if two countries were to adopt the policies of functionalism, in healthcare, they would deploy a strategy, that would give access to the other country specific to a particular state wherein the agreement has been reached at only while other areas would still be restricted.

In its earlier days, functionalism was followed and restricted to scientific development only. It was later during the late 1945 when the focus also shifted to economic development.

Neo-Functionalism

Neo functionalism is a different concept and was developed in the 1950's which believed in abolishing trade barriers before two countries expanded international trade. It was based on the concepts which have extended even in the modern times, that for appropriate international trade, countries require to open their doors to others and allow for rapid economic, social and cultural development respectively.

Conclusion and Differences:-

The concepts of Functionalism were restrictive in nature and were built around the concepts of self-centered behavior which allowed for progress to happen in one’s own country without bothering too much about international trade but on one functional attribute. The neo functional theory on the other hand lays focus on nonrestrictive trade practices which have been rapidly followed across the globe in the modern times.

18. What is the three-level structure of world politics according to the English School?

According to the three level structure of world politics, international relations can be divided into three levels once, international relations start formulating and the world trade expands the following is the three level structure as described by the English School.

(1) "International System"

The first part of the structure or the first step is the international system. This system arises when two countries begin trading with one another for mutual benefits. The system of politics or guidelines that appear between one another then, are called as the International System.

This as per the English School is the first stage of world politics wherein countries interact with one another to begin the process of internationalization respectively.

(2) "International society"

International society on the other hand, forms when countries expand into trade and commerce, and formulate a society in which the trade barriers are lifted among participating nations.

Such societies are rapidly found in the modern days, in the form of alliances among two or more countries such as OPEC (The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries), SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) which are regional communities built on the concepts of International society for mutual benefit of a region.

These countries the set policies and engage in politics accordingly.

(3) "World Society"

The world society is based on the idea, that the entire world lifts its trade barriers, and the structure and policies are set by the entire globe as one single entity and enabling politics and policies accordingly.

Please feel free to ask your doubts in the comments section if any.