World polity theory (also referred to as world society theory, global Neo-institutionalism,
and the "Stanford school" of global analysis) was developed mainly as an analytical frame
for interpreting global relations, structures, and practices.
It was developed partly in response to the application of world systems theory.
The theory views the world system as a social system with a cultural framework called world
polity, which encompasses and influences the actors, such as nations, international organizations,
and individuals under it.
In other words, according to John Boli and George M. Thomas, "the world polity is constituted
by distinct culture – a set of fundamental principles and models, mainly ontological
and cognitive in character, defining the nature and purposes of social actors and action."
The World polity theory views the primary component of the world society as "world polity",
which provides a set of cultural norms or directions in which the actors of the world
society follow in dealing with problems and general procedures.
In contrast to other theories such as neo-realism or liberalism, the theory considers other
actors such as the states and institutions to be under the influence of global norms.
Although it closely resembles constructivism, world polity theory is to be distinguished
from it because "world-polity theorists have been far more resolute in taking the “cultural
plunge” than their constructivism counterparts".
In other words, world polity theory puts more of an emphasis on homogenization than the
other.
Through globalization, world polity and culture trigger the formation of enactable cultures
and organizations while in return cultures and organizations elaborate the world society
further.Beginning in the 1970s with its initiation by John W. Meyer of Stanford University, world
polity analysis initially revolved around examining inter-state relations.
Simultaneously in the 1970s and also in the 1980s, a significant amount of work was done
on international education environment.
However, in the 1980s and 1990s due to the noticeable influence of globalization on world
culture, the direction of the study shifted towards analyzing the transnational social
movement that may amount to a global polity while at the same time attempting to better
understand how global polity ideas are implemented through global actors.
== Implications == Through a series of empirical studies, Meyer
and others observed that new states organize themselves in a significantly similar manner
despite their differing needs and background to give strength to their explanation that
there is a set norm of forming a new state under the bigger umbrella of world polity.Other
instances suggest a definite presence of world polity:
A considerable degree of resemblance in national constitutions, which commonly contain the
idea of self-determination, state sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Schooling around the world showing isomorphism.
Nitza Berkovitch stated that the occurrence of the international women's movement reflected
the existence of world polity framework and so allows the world to be viewed as a single
global social system.
An empirical study of INGOs (International nongovernmental organizations) shows the existence
of universalism, individualism, rational voluntaristic authority, progress and world citizenship
across different INGOS.
Sports, human rights, and environmental INGOS especially tend to "reify" world polity.
According to John Boli and George M. Thomas, who conducted this study, INGOS could instill
world-cultural principles of world polity to nations by lobbying, criticizing, and convincing.
== Limitations == Critics point to the fact that world polity
theory assumes a rather flawless and smooth transfer of norms of world polity to the global
actors, which might not always be really plausible.
Also, its tendency to focus on the homogenizing effect brings criticisms.
World culture theory differs in this aspect from world polity theory because it recognizes
that actors find their own identities in relation to the greater global cultural norm instead
of simply following what is suggested by the world polity.Also, an instance of glocalization
cannot fully be explained by world polity theory.
It is a phenomenon by which local values and global cultures converge to create something
new.
== See also == Environmental movement
Nation state Olympic games
Women's rights World citizen