How Important Are the Ideas of Power and Sovereignty?

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Virtual existence of countries
International sovereignty
Domestic sovereignty
Interdependent sovereignty
Westphalian sovereignty
Discussions
Conclusions
Bibliography

Introduction

The concepts of power and sovereignty are very important ones, in that they play fundamental roles not only in the internal governance of countries, but also in terms of a country’s position regarding external threats and challenges.

The aspects of self-determination and self –governance form the bulwark of country’s power and sovereignty, not only in relation to its own administration and political setup, but also with regard to foreign affairs and its perspectives on current national or international issues and its contribution to world peace and security.

Virtual existence of countries

It would not be wrong to state that the very existence of nations could be based upon its power status and sovereignty. Sovereign states are free and independent to make or unmake their own laws. They could build their defences, raise and promote armies and build up of armaments, annex countries if they wish to, although it may be desirable in the present context. Most importantly, power and sovereign states could take steps to protect their borders and secure the country against infiltrators and enemy actions. They could decide which laws need to be introduced and enforced, also which need to be scrapped, keeping the best interests of the country in mind.

By far, the most important aspect of power and sovereignty that a country may enjoy may be in terms of the fact that it may not permit any kind of external interferences in the internal affairs of such countries, and could take such steps, as deemed necessary, to protect against intrusions and violations of its internal affairs.

There are many aspects of sovereignty and this would depend upon the type of governments ruling in countries- whether parliamentarian, democratic, dictatorship, monarchy, colonial or rule by religious head or institutions. Whatever type of rule a country may be subjected, it is necessary that for proper functioning and administrative implementation, it is necessary that self governance need to enforced in order to keep the government machinery moving and to ensure that the rights of the nation and its people as free citizens of a sovereign state are not compromised in any manner.

Essentially there are four types of sovereignty as follows:

International sovereignty.
Domestic sovereignty.
Interdependent sovereignty.
Westphalian sovereignty.

It is now necessary to consider each of these, individually.

International sovereignty

This refers to sovereignty of the country, vis-à-vis its neighbours, other states and countries. Many countries in the world were formerly, colonies, which asserted and won their freedom from foreign rules. Once they were independent countries, it became necessary for other countries to accept their freedom and sovereignty and accord them recognition as independent and sovereign states having their own Constitutions and governance. The aspect of international autonomy and self- governance is what other countries bestow to countries, big and small. “Granting former colonies independence and recognizing them as sovereign states, they joined intergovernmental organizations and were ostensibly the equals of European states.” (Brahm 2004).

International sovereignty provides impetus for self-rule and protection of human rights, and to guard and protect against foreign invasions, or aggressions.

Domestic sovereignty

This could be seen in terms of the fact that a sovereign country is given the privilege to adopt its own laws for governance and the ability to take care of its own population. The powers to act within the borders of the State, and to take such steps and to enact or re-enact such laws as is necessary for the benefit of its masses.

The right to govern a country stems from domestic sovereignty, especially in a democratic country. Through electoral systems, governments are mandated by people to govern them, and these powers emanate from people and the exercise of their franchisees. In a monarchy, the king is the Head of State and keeps the welfare of his subjects as his prime objective and mission, under mandate from subjects.

“Absent such recognition, the ruler of a country would lose its legitimacy. A ruler might continue to perform public functions, but that would now be wrong, for it would have lost the basis of its domestic sovereignty.” (Klein 2004).

Interdependent sovereignty

This refers to ability and competence of public bodies to rule the country and administer sound, efficient and effective laws for the benefit of the people. It also envisages strong and robust policing and enforcement of law and order situation. The ability to protect borders and prevent cross border infiltrations, is also seen as a part of interdependent sovereignty. In the case of interdependent self-rule, it is seen that counties are at liberty to bring about tariffs and trade regulations, within the country and set up a strong and viable military, air and naval force to ensure its autonomous status and guard against external aggression. In other words, interdependent sovereignty refers to “the ability of governments to exercise unilateral control over their policy instruments and the issues that are important to them “without seeking external intervention or aid. (Bagwell and Staiger 2003).

Westphalian sovereignty

It refers to the exclusion of external agencies or involvement in the internal administration of the country. The classic example of lack of Westphalia sovereignty would be the present day Iraq, where peace and security and democratic processes are ensured by the presence of multilateral peacekeeping forces, including that of the United Nations Organization.

This assumes significance because of two reasons. The first being that it severally undermines the administrative capabilities of the host nation and secondly, it does not allow the host country scope for self-determination and to chose their own style of governance or leadership.

The case of Westphilia sovereignty which was first enforced in the 17^th Century must be seen in the contemporary settings of that era, when territorial aggrandizements were a part of rule. Wars were fought and won, territories seized and kingdoms conquered. At that time, it was necessary to enforce conventions to address these adverse situations. However, in the present context, territorial aggrandisements are not a regular feature, with international peacekeeping forces ever on vigil, especially to protect the interests of member countries.

However, while territory infringements and interference in the affairs of other counties are illegal ab initio, it is often necessary for weaker countries to seek protection from stronger and better developed forces, either in order to combat their own internal strife, or to thwart the designs of common enemies. This is the present condition in Iraq and other provinces in the Middle East, which are regularly marred by ethnic and group conflicts. Under such circumstances, it is seen that armies are requisitioned and called to control and solve large-scale violence and civil wars, which the country cannot achieve with its limited resources. This is not against the principles of Westphilia sovereignty, since the armies of other countries are summoned to help control a dangerous situation and not for territorial acquisitions.

“While coercion, intervention, is inconsistent with international legal as well as Westphalian sovereignty, voluntary actions by rulers, invitations, do not violate international legal sovereignty although they do transgress Westphalian sovereignty.” (Krasner 1999, P. 20).

Discussions

While sovereignty of all kinds, international, interdependent, Westphilian and domestic are necessary for the existence and progress of any nation, big or small, progressive or retardant, developed or underdeveloped, the underlying forces that belie its true nature needs to be examined and assessed. It is also necessary for the citizens to understand whether sovereignty is real or just illusionary, as in the case of most dictatorships, or autocratic rules.

It is often seen that in several countries there are several instances of territorial violations and cross border incursions, leading to lowered status of Westphalian sovereignty. Territorial integrity are not often respected, in international context, and more powerful countries often exert wanton and unjustifiable control over weaker nations, despite warnings from international law enforcing agencies, and institutions.

Even unlawful military and political intervention by powerful countries in the domestic matters of autonomous countries are seen in present context, including gross human rights violation and detention and incarceration of citizens on non-tenable grounds.

It is seen especially in countries sharing common borders, there are heightened cases of cross border smuggling of humans, including women and children for sale and bondage, contraband drugs, weaponry and forest products. Either the enforcement departments are in league with such criminals, or are helpless victims in illegal power games. Such compromising of domestic and international sovereignty needs to be regulated and controlled, in the greater interests of peace and stability in the region.

These aspects are important since loss of country suzerainty could lead to an overall increase in tension, and could also lead to law and enforcement problems. Criminals would gain confidence that they could act with impunity and total disregard for international laws, conventions and country-specific regulatory norms.

Conclusions

Country- specific suzerainty is an important measure of the ability of respective governments to function effectively and efficiently, within the ambit of its regulatory framework.

It is also a measure of how well it could counter threats, both external and internal.

Finally, the growth of any nation is seen in terms of peace, contentment and economic prosperity of its people. To a very large extent, this is ensured by adherence to, and enforcement of relevant sovereignty norms in any situation.

A strong and well designed sovereignty policy would also deter the territorial ambitions and designs of rival states.

Another aspect that needs to ensured is that international agreements entered by respective governments need to keep the greater interests and long term prospects of signatory countries in mind. It is no travesty of truth to confirm that of all the rights that countries possess, the laws relating to suzerainty, power and sovereignty are most important. This has been seen that a truly sovereign state would be one that “live together in a natural society and subject to the law of nations.” (Book 1: Chapter 1: Of Nations or Sovereign States: What are Sovereign States. 2008).

Bibliography

BAGWELL, Kyle., and STAIGER, Robert W. (2003). National Sovereignty in an Interdependent World. [online]. 2008. Web.

BRAHM, Eric. (2004). Sovereignty: Historical Development. [online]. Beyond Intractability. 2008. Web.

Book 1: Chapter 1: Of Nations or Sovereign States: What are Sovereign States. (2008). [online]. The laws of Nature and Nature’s God. Web.

KLEIN, Hans. (2004). Conceptualizing Sovereignty: Understanding Political Authority and Governance. [online]. Social Science Research Council Information Technology and International Corporation Program. 2008. Web.

KRASNER, Stephan D. (1999). Westphalian Sovereignty. [online]. Princeton University Press. P. 20. 2008. Web.

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