Understanding Sovereignty

Core Concept of Sovereignty

• Sovereignty includes nature of state sovereignty, traditional/modern notions, sources, and internal/external dimensions.
• Sovereignty is a state's independence, control over territory, and ability to govern itself.

Defining Sovereignty

• Sovereignty means supreme power or authority.
• It is the authority of a state to govern itself or another state; it is essentially a self-governing state.

Microntations

• Some questions to consider regarding microntations include whether they are legitimate, and why or why not.

Control Considerations

• Determine who has control over institutions/organizations, such as governments, the UN, homes, newspapers, and schools.
• Consider what aspects these institutions control.

Sovereignty and Global Politics

• Sovereign power usage by states is central to global issues.
• Some believe globalizaton erodes sovereignty via borderless communication/trade that states can't fully control.
• Some theorise that sovereign states still wield significant power when acting in their national interests.

Sources of Sovereignty

• It is important to examine the sources of sovereignty.
• There are many interpretations of sovereignty, and the list 30 spans a wide range of definitions relating to it.
• Sovereignty includes foundational aspects, territorial/geographical aspects, economic/resource aspects, cultural/social aspects, governance/administrative aspects, international/external relations, and emerging/specialized forms.

Categories of Sovereignty Sources

• Foundational aspects include popular, national, legal, and political sovereignty.
• Territorial and geographical sovereignty includes territorial, maritime, aerospace, and environmental dimensions.
• Economic aspects cover economic, energy, food, fiscal, and monetary aspects.
• Cultural, social, and community aspects cover cultural, social, cultural-linguistic, educational, and intellectual sovereignty.
• Governance and administrative sovereignty: judicial, civic, health, informational, and digital sovereignty.
• International and external relations sovereignty includes international, humanitarian, and historical sovereignty.
• Emerging and specialized forms include technological, ethical, divine, and constitutional sovereignty.

Key/Foundational Sovereignty Forms

• Popular sovereignty is based on the will/consent of the people, who are the source of political power.
• Territorial sovereignty involves control over a specific geographic area, including land, airspace, and maritime boundaries.
• National sovereignty vests sovereignty in a nation-state, emphasizing independence from external control and supreme authority over internal affairs.
• Legal sovereignty lies in the supreme legal authority within a territory, vested in a constitution or fundamental laws.
• Political sovereignty involves the political power to make decisions, often residing in the government or ruling body.

Sovereignty and Components

• It's imprtant to know the components of a state and nation.
• Distinguish between a nation-state and a multinational state.

Understanding Nationalism

• It's important to consider both positive and negative aspects of nationalism.
• Understand the differences between a country and a nation.
• Differentiate between definitions of nationalism.
• Consider how nationalism can be a constructive force.
• Examine the negative aspects of extreme/exclusive nationalism.
• Consider the connection between nationalism and populism.
• Analyze the irony of the current rise in nationalism.

Internal vs External

• Important questions to consider include how internal sovereignty differs from external sovereignty.
• At what point can one country or international organization violate the sovereignty of another state?
• What determines a nation's claim to sovereignty and becoming its own state?
• How has globalization made sovereignty more complex?

Defining Sovereignty Aspects

• Sovereignty encompasses absoluteness, territoriality, and internal/external dimensions.

Supreme Authority

• Sovereignty implies the highest level of authority within a state's borders.
• Authority extends to all individuals and entities, irrespective of governance.
• The sovereign has the legitimate right to command/enforce laws, and citizens are expected to obey.
• Governments can implement laws, penalize lawbreakers, and manage national borders, including movement of goods/people.

Territoriality

• Sovereignty is linked to territoriality, defining community membership by geographic location.
• People within state borders fall under its authority and jurisdiction.
• "State" is a broader political organization, while "government" is the current administrative body.

Internal/External Dimensions of Sovereignty

• Internal sovereignty involves a state's authority/control within its territory, including lawmaking, order maintenance, and exercising power without internal interference.
• External sovereignty involves a state's recognition/status internationally, enabling diplomacy, treaty-making, and defending independence from foreign interference.
• Examples of events include Brexit, Saudi Arabia's policies, Crimean annexation, Taiwan's recognition, Hong Kong's security law, and the abrogation of Article 370 in India.

Internal Sovereignty Breakdown

• Internal sovereignty involves a state governing itself and taking responsibility for activities within its territory.
• This includes creating/enforcing laws, taxation, funding, and managing public services/infrastructure.
• The state's authority internally is legitimized by consent or acknowledgment by citizens/residents.

Singapore as sovereign state

• To what extent does Singapore have control over people within its borders?
• To what extent does its government have the power to make decisions and enforce laws?
• To what extent do Singaporeans accept the authority of the state/government?

Singapore's Sovereignty Evidences

• Strict public regulations include enforcing prohibitions like gum chewing and fines for spitting/failing to flush toilets, showcasing strong internal control.
• Public safety/order include a low crime rate, effective public services, and minimal ethnic tensions.
• Social harmony and economic stability include Singapore maintaining order and high living standards.
• The government's management of economy/public services demonstrates shaping and regulating socio-economic conditions.
• Governance style faces criticism for authoritarian aspects, free speech restrictions, and judicial punishments.
• Internal Sovereignty must reconcile the tension between individual freedoms and the state's strong control.

External Dimensions

• External sovereignty concerns interactions/relations with other states and international organizations.
• It involves mutual respect for territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs.
• States demonstrate external sovereignty through diplomatic actions, establishing embassies, exchanging diplomats, and participating in treaties.
• The United Nations, recognizing 193 sovereign states, is a key international body acknowledging external sovereignty.

Balance of Internal/External Dimensions

• Internal sovereignty means governance and supremacy within.
• External sovereignty means independence from external influence, with no power dictating internal affairs.
• These aspects ensure a state's autonomy internally and in global politics.

Weak/Strong Internal Sovereignty

• Consider whether the state has control, the government has power, and the people accept authority.

External Picture

• External sovereignty is the ability to act independently with actors/states outside its borders.
• Power in wealth and military strength leads to prioritizing own interests.

Russia's Wealth and Military Strength

• Russia's military strength exerts influence in various regions.
• Its intervention in Syria impacted the conflict and secured interests.
• Russia has the ability to prioritize strategic interests over others.

Russia's External Economic Picture

• Russia's control over vast natural resources, like oil and gas, gives it significant economic leverage.
• This influences European energy markets and shapes policies through energy exports.
• Russia exerts pressure on European countries demonstrating how resources enhance sovereignty.

Ukraine Conflict

• Russia's annexation of Crimea shows how military/economic power assert external sovereignty.
• Annexation was a direct challenge to international norms with geopolitical effects.
• Russia's actions in Ukraine are to pursue strategic interests, despite international condemnation and sanctions.

Nature of Sovereignty

• The Peace of Westphalia (1648) sought to end European wars/conflicts.
• The goal was peace maintenance in Europe
• Though impact is questionable, Europe changed.
• States gained unchallenged territorial control.
• States were expected to respect each other's independence, with no intervention in internal affairs.
• Principles have been breached, but sovereignty is an essential component of global politics.

Colonial Era Western Sovereignty

• Colonialism aligns with Westphalia understandings.

Self Determination and Sovereignty

• Self-determination means colonies/empires should no longer exist.
• Self Determination aligns with a global view on state sovereignty.
• No state should take over another.
• People should decide on rulers.

Montevideo Convention

• Recognition made states fearful their independence would be lost.
• Newly independent states sought clear criteria, prompting the Montevideo Convention.

Lasting Impact of Declarative Theory

• To be considered a state under international law, certain attributes apply.
• There must be a permanent population, a defined territory, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states.
• The key principles include sovereignty and non-dependence on recognition by other states.

Consitutive Theory of Statehood

• The Declaratory Theory of Statehood can be confusing regarding countries/territories that meet criteria but aren't sovereign.
• Recognition is an important concept.
• Constitutive Theory that recognizes a state as sovereign.
• Recognition determines membership in international organizations.
• A state must be recognized by "enough" members.
• In theory, every sovereign state is legally equal in international law, but in reality some states have a greater sway.

Modern self determination

• Self-determination is the belief that people should have to right to have their own country.
• Many countries have diverse groups based on factors like religion and language.
• Questions arise about who should be an independent country.

Molossia

• It is important to consider why micronation Molossia is not a sovereign state.

Statehood at the UN

• Consider the role of recognition in UN applications, how the Security Council can influence admission, and the overall admission process.

Modern Sovereignty

• States' power monopoly is challenged by interconnectedness.

Traditional Notion Challenge

• Consider "what if" scenarios regarding sovereignty.
• For example if states authorities or powers have malicious intents.

Brainstorm

• Consider who and what is impacting sovereign states.
• How are aspects of sovereignty decreasing?