From StrategyUnit: a description of a Global Actor he calls “Total Social Movement Organizations” or TSMO – which is also another possible successor /competitor to the dominant state form the nation-state:
Hamas and Hezbollah function as a network of charities, religious movement, social movement, political movement and military force. Only such an organization can easily enlist the people as human shields at the face of death. I doubt Hamas was using much if any coercisve force to encourage the Human Shields – faith in Hamas and what it represented was enough.
An organization that combines the full spectrum of human activities – from religious to social justice to military force – will be a resilient force compared to the secular (Post?) Nation-State system that exists in the Wetern countries. They will not replace Western style Nation-States, but will be adapt challengers in the world stage.
I have been kicking around ideas along these lines for awhile. I read Bobbit’s gigantic and impressive book on the evolution of state forms a while back. My thoughts are forthcoming on the possibilities, evolution, and forms of the Post-Nationalism State (Postnat-State) and the Global Actors it will compete and cooperate.
Update: I have updated the links.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: Global Actor Theory, Political Theory, PostNat-State |
PurpleSlog,
Thanks for mentioning my blog and good to know that you have similar thoughts on the subject. Look forward to learning more from reading your blog.
I’ve just moved to StrategyUnit.net, so could please update the link/trackback to http://www.strategyunit.net/2006/11/the-human-swarm-and-the-end-of-conventional-warfare/
Thanks so much,
StrategyUnit
Purpleslog,
Thanks for updating the link, much appreciated. I’ve added your blog to my blogroll and my RSS reader.
Cheers,
StrategyUnit
Hi Strat, I have returned the favour.