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

In conclusion we can see that globalisation is not only pertinent to our understanding of the state but highlights just how much the nature of the state has changed. The state first became recognised as the only body of power in Ancient Greece. Yet today the state appears to have lost much of this power as the world becomes smaller and boundaries more blurred.

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.

With membership benefits however, comes internal member sacrifices. No where is this more clear than in Brussels. The movement towards a united Europe is terminally plagued by various heads of states unable to find a mutual agreement between benefit and sacrifice. A recent example of this could be seen at the EU summit at Helsinki. Bound by his domestic situation the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, found himself isolated and unable to sign an agreement on EU economic legislation in the light of recent EU action (or inaction) towards the illegitimate ban by the French on British beef. At the time a national newspaper quoted:

The globalisation of cultures is probably the single most important factor to our understanding of politics within the state. Cultural values and attitudes, particularly in the developing world, are changing generation by generation. Significant changes are taking place due to increased overseas investment and the accessibility of technology.

How this has happened and the extent to which globalisation could affect the role of the state are the crucial underlying questions to the essay title.

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.

"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')

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)