The Valuable Tool of Sovereignty: Its Use in Situations of Competition and Interdependence. Bruges Political Research Papers No. 3. 03/2007

van Veen, Erwin. (2007) The Valuable Tool of Sovereignty: Its Use in Situations of Competition and Interdependence. Bruges Political Research Papers No. 3. 03/2007.

Abstract

Sovereignty is not a neutral concept. It is rather used as a tool in a variety of contexts by political agents to establish and maintain their rule. In particular situations of competition and interdependence are relevant because they potentially threaten state survival. In these two types of situation, five uses of sovereignty are distinguished. First, in situations of internal competition states use sovereignty for competitive advantage. Second, in cases of external competition states use sovereignty to temporarily subordinate the interests of citizens to those of the state. Third, in situations of interdependence some states use sovereignty to reduce it. However, in a globalizing world this becomes less feasible. Fourth, sovereignty is used to conquer interdependence. Yet this is only effective when a world-state is created. Fifth, states use sovereignty to manage interdependence.