The Westphalian System is integral to international politics today because it was the first set of treaties that marked territories between states and not empires. Prior to this, continental European authority was centered on the Church, which exercised the most control over diplomatic relations (Mingst, McKibben, Arreguin-Toft, 20). The treaties ended the 30-years war, a time when it seemed like fighting over religious disagreements were unnecessary, as it had led to many casualties and some bankruptcies among small states. I found this analogous to post WWII international agreements, a time when it seemed like fighting over national disagreements only led to more problems.
Scholars use it as a benchmark because it established sovereignty among small, warring states; national militaries; and larger territories for a core group of states that are generally similar to today's main European nations (Mingst, McKibben, Arreguin-Toft, 21-22). It was the first time international borders resembled the Europe of today, with the exception of Germany and Italy, which still consisted of a large number of small states.
Source: Mingst, K. A., McKibben, H. E., & Arreguín-Toft, I. M. (2018). Essentials of International Relations (Eighth Edition) (8th Edition). W. W. Norton.
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