14.3 Sovereignty and Anarchy

Sovereignty and anarchy shape global politics. States have supreme authority within their borders and interact in a system without a higher power. This creates a complex web of relationships, where countries balance their interests against international norms.

The modern international system reflects these dynamics. States navigate power balances, international law, and collective security arrangements while grappling with globalization's impact on traditional sovereignty. Understanding these concepts is key to grasping global politics.

The Concept of Sovereignty

Sovereignty in state behavior

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• Sovereignty grants states supreme authority to govern themselves and make decisions independently without external interference
• Internal sovereignty refers to a state's authority over its own territory and population, allowing it to determine domestic policies and governance structures
• External sovereignty ensures a state's independence from outside intervention and grants it the right to engage with other states as an equal partner (United Nations)
• Sovereignty shapes state behavior by enabling states to pursue their own interests and goals, enter into agreements and treaties, and determine their own domestic policies
• The principle of non-interference, a key aspect of sovereignty, prohibits states from intervening in the internal affairs of other states (Russia's annexation of Crimea)
• Westphalian sovereignty emphasizes the principle of territorial integrity and non-intervention in the affairs of other states

Anarchy in International Relations

Anarchy in international relations

• Anarchy in international relations describes the absence of a central authority or government above the level of sovereign states, with no "world government" to enforce rules or resolve disputes
• States are the highest authority in the international system and must rely on their own capabilities to protect their interests and ensure their security and survival
• Anarchy influences interactions between states by creating a self-help system that encourages competition and conflict as states seek to maximize their power and influence (US-China rivalry)
• The security dilemma, a key consequence of anarchy, arises when actions taken by states to increase their own security are perceived as threats by other states, leading to arms races and potential conflict (India-Pakistan tensions)
• Realism, a prominent theory in international relations, emphasizes the importance of power and self-interest in an anarchic system

Sovereignty vs anarchy in global politics

• Sovereignty and anarchy are closely intertwined in the international system, with sovereignty providing the basis for state authority and anarchy shaping the context in which states interact
• The interplay between sovereignty and anarchy affects state decision-making by:
  1. Encouraging states to prioritize their own interests and security above other considerations (US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement)
  2. Making states reluctant to cede authority to international institutions or accept limitations on their sovereignty (US opposition to the International Criminal Court)
  3. Creating incentives for states to engage in self-help behavior, such as building military capabilities or forming alliances (NATO)
• The impact of sovereignty and anarchy on international cooperation is complex:
  • Sovereignty can facilitate cooperation by providing a basis for states to enter into agreements as equal partners (World Trade Organization)
  • Anarchy can hinder cooperation by making it difficult to enforce agreements and creating incentives for states to defect from cooperative arrangements (Kyoto Protocol)
  • International institutions and regimes can help mitigate the effects of anarchy by providing forums for cooperation and dispute resolution, but their effectiveness is limited by the underlying principle of state sovereignty (United Nations Security Council)
• The tension between sovereignty and anarchy is a central feature of global politics, shaping the behavior of states and the prospects for international cooperation and conflict (North Korea's nuclear program)

The Modern International System

Key concepts in the international system

• The state system forms the foundation of modern international relations, with sovereign states as the primary actors
• Balance of power is a key mechanism for maintaining stability in an anarchic system, as states seek to prevent any single state from becoming too powerful
• International law provides a framework for regulating state behavior and resolving disputes, though its enforcement remains challenging in an anarchic system
• Collective security arrangements aim to deter aggression by creating mutual defense commitments among states
• Globalization has increased interdependence among states, challenging traditional notions of sovereignty and creating new forms of cooperation and conflict