THE OBSOLESCENCE OF THE WESTPHALIAN MODEL &THE RETURN TO A MAXIMUM STATE OF EXCEPTION

Abstract

The international system is based on the modern conception of the Westphalian model, which organizes and monopolizes violence under the exclusive authority of a sovereign state. This conception only began to characterize global politics in the 19th century and more so at the beginning of the 20th century, contrary to the political myth that perceives the year 1648 as the moment where world state leaders monopolized, organized and structured violence. I characterize the international system prior to the Westphalian model to be a period of maximum state of exception because states de-monopolized violence and authorized the use of nonstate actors to conduct violence which dominated the international system. The international system transitioned from a maximum state of exception to a minimum state of exception when the Westphalian model began characterizing the international system. In a minimum state of exception, the Weberian state entailed a state monopolization on the authority to deploy violence beyond its borders and the states acceptance of responsibility for violence emanating from its territory. Violence in a minimum state of exception shifted from nonstate actors to citizen-soldiers. It is the objective of this research paper to highlight three consecutive Revolutions in Military Affairs (RMA) that occurred in the international system which have modified the actors involved in war. The latest RMA that occurred at the highpoint of the coldwar, but more so after the declaraction of the Global War on Terror (GWOT), has rendered the Westphalian model obscolescent. The modification of the primary actors in combat has consequently reverted the international system to a maximum state of exception where war is now global and an everlasting state in global affairs.