The word 'globalisation' perhaps suggests 'the shift of political activity away from the local and national and into the global realm.' Hudson extends this definition:

"Globalisation signifies an increase in the importance, volume, speed and scope of cross-border flows of ideas, money, commodities, and people, challenging the exclusive territorial authority of sovereign states."(Newman, 'Boundaries, Territory and Post-modernity.)

From this definition it can be seen that globalisation is a word which cannot be merely defined but must be explained, must be signified. In addition it comprises with it the second part of the question, the idea of its challenge to and effect on the state.

Accounts of conflict and war between the various city-states of Ancient Greece is itself a recognition that the international dimension to politics is as old as the discipline itself. (Heywood, 'Politics'). However, during these early years of civilisation, politics, and subsequently power rested mainly in the state. Indeed, according to Aristotle the state is

"The final association, formed of several villages... For all practical purposes

Firstly there is that of the public sector. The highlights the increase in inter-state diplomacy and the development of intra and international bodies since the end of the second world war. Secondly the growth of power in the private sector (civil society). In the last decade we have seen national boundaries become increasingly porous as societies are seemed to intermingle privately.

Such an extreme view of globalisation appears disproportionate to the political realities of international diplomacy within the public sector. This upsurge in world bodies is undeniably pertinent to our understanding of the state as it does indeed reconstruct the state's political role. However, what drives people to postulate that globalisation deconstructs the state's political role.

The growth in the computer industry and the emergence of the information superhighway is not an exception to the growing power and wealth flooding into the hands of private enterprise. Microsoft are currently set to be overtaken as the world's richest company by the mobile phone giants Nokia.

"In all this who 'we' are is less and less dependent on where 'we' live than on which brand 'we' buy, and which satellite feeds 'we' watch on our new advanced technology televisions... States are falling apart in violent struggles in the new zones of turmoil where ethnic identity is supposedly everything". (Newman, 'Boundaries, Territory and Post-modernity').

A variety of factors have placed power into the hands of private enterprise. Developments in production line method (based on the Fordism ideal) and in technological advances in communication and travel mean that companies are finding themselves taking a more trans-national approach to business. Even by the late 1960s there were many cases where the gross turnover per annum of a company was greater than some African countries GNP. The rapid growth of the trans-national company means that states, more than ever, were part of the international business community. If they wished for an increase in investment they would have to look attractive to the buyer.

Thus it is evident that globalisation is occurring in the public sector. All over the world from the European states to the 'little tigers' of the Far East, governments are dovetailing their economies in an attempt to strengthen and stabilise their own political and economic situation.

"Nations have lost most of the sovereignty they once had, and politicians have lost most of their capability to influence events". (Giddens, 'The Reith Lectures')

Globalisation may not be happening fairly and evenly. It may simply redistribute power from a democratically elected (in most cases) state to an autonomous, self serving interest group. This 'One World' motion may or may not be a healthy proposition, but it is happening. Moreover, I believe that it is happening to a great enough extent to say that the role which the state once played in our lives will never be the same again.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Hedley Bull, Territory Post-modernity', French British, Politics' Historical, Bill Gates, Ancient Greece, Reith Lectures', Coca Cola, , Nokia Economically, civil society, private enterprise, world civil society, world civil, political economic, public sector, political activity, global bodies, pertinent understanding, private sector, understanding politics, state's political role, power private sector, 'the reith lectures', giddens 'the reith,
Approximate Word count = 2124
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)