Q. Discuss the Hyperglobalist and Sceptic perspectives on globalisation. Which view better explains the persistence of state sovereignty in the 21st century? (15 Marks)
How to Approach
Explain both perspectives with thinkers, take a clear position on which better explains state sovereignty today. Use current examples. One line on Transformationalist in conclusion.
Answer
Does globalisation make states weaker or does state power remain intact? This is one of the most important debates in Comparative Politics, and the Hyperglobalist and Sceptical perspectives give completely opposite answers.
The Hyperglobalist View
Kenichi Ohmae argued that globalisation has created a borderless world where markets, multinational corporations and digital platforms have become more powerful than governments. States are increasingly forced to follow rules set by international trade agreements, financial markets and global institutions rather than making their own choices.
Companies like Google, Meta and Amazon operate across the world beyond any single government's real control, supporting this argument.
The Sceptical View
Paul Hirst and Grahame Thompson disagreed strongly. They argued that what we call globalisation is simply older patterns of international trade and investment continuing, not something new or revolutionary.
States still control taxation, law, citizenship, borders and security. International organisations only work because sovereign states agree to them. Regional blocs like the EU and ASEAN show that economic integration is mostly regional, not truly global.
The Sceptical view clearly fits the 21st century better. The 2025 tariff war, the US CHIPS Act, India's PLI schemes and friend-shoring of supply chains all show states actively directing globalisation rather than being weakened by it. Brexit and the global rise of economic nationalism confirm that sovereignty is still the most powerful force in world politics.
David Held got it right: globalisation has not ended sovereignty but changed its character. States remain the most important actors, but now share power with global markets and institutions. Sovereignty today is negotiated, not absolute, but it is very much alive.
