Sovereignty
paradox
domestic affairs: promotes order
international affairs: promotes anarchy
states exercise control over their territory and population
state sovereignty limits the absolute freedom of individuals
sovereign states are not controlled by any higher entity
sovereign states cannot dictate each other's actions
definitions
theoretical: supreme authority over citizens and subjects, unrestrained by law
practical: there is not an absolute degree of control
states cannot exercise absolute control over their subjects
states cannot exercise absolute control in international affairs
characteristics
territory: a sovereign state needs a geographical area over which it has control
population: a sovereign states needs subjects over which to exercise control
accepted jurisdiction/ legitimate authority
needs to have a legitimate claim
needs to be able to actually enforce authority
autonomy from outside control
must be free from the control of other forces
puppet regime established by an outside state is not sovereign
recognition by other states
formal acceptance of government
regular interaction among counterparts
diplomatic exchange
limits
transfer of power to larger bodies
United Nations, European Union
done to promote diplomacy among sovereign states
popular sovereignty
the population of a state is the basis of its sovereignty
the sovereign state must relinquish some degree of autonomy in order to preserve its legitimacy
West Bank: post WWII
Jordan
possessed the territory until 1967
lost in the 6 days war
had no ability to repossess the land
sustained an economic and political loss
Israel
considers the area "disputed territory"
viewed by others as "belligerent occupation"
de facto sovereignty
cannot actually claim sovereignty due to objections
Palestine
considered by 70% of UN to be rightful owners
does not accept Israeli authority as legitimate
unable to effectively enforce claims of sovereignty in practice