ADVANCED 20-MARK SERIES – PSIR PAPER I
Q4. “Is Sovereignty Obsolete in the Era of Globalization?” Critically Examine.
🔹 INTRODUCTION
Sovereignty traditionally refers to the supreme authority of the state over its territory and population. From Jean Bodin’s theory of absolute sovereignty to Westphalian statehood, sovereignty has been the foundational principle of modern political order.
However, globalization, international institutions, human rights regimes, and economic interdependence have raised questions about whether sovereignty remains intact or has become diluted.
🔹 I. Classical Conception of Sovereignty
- Jean Bodin – Absolute and indivisible sovereignty
- Thomas Hobbes – Sovereign authority to ensure order
- Westphalian Model – Non-interference and territorial supremacy
In this model, sovereignty is supreme, unlimited, and internally final.
🔹 II. Globalization and Economic Interdependence
Global markets, multinational corporations, and financial institutions influence national policies.
- Trade agreements restrict domestic policy freedom
- International Monetary Fund and World Bank impose conditionalities
- Global supply chains reduce economic autonomy
Economic globalization appears to constrain sovereign decision-making.
🔹 III. International Law and Human Rights
International organizations such as the United Nations promote human rights norms that may override domestic authority.
The doctrine of Responsibility to Protect (R2P) challenges absolute sovereignty by permitting intervention in cases of humanitarian crisis.
Thus, sovereignty is increasingly conditional rather than absolute.
🔹 IV. Supranational Governance
Regional organizations like the European Union demonstrate pooled sovereignty.
Member states voluntarily transfer aspects of legislative and judicial authority to supranational institutions.
This reflects transformation, not disappearance, of sovereignty.
🔹 V. The Resilience of Sovereignty
Despite globalization, states retain:
- Control over borders
- Monopoly of legitimate violence (Weber)
- Constitutional supremacy
- Taxation and law-making power
The COVID-19 pandemic illustrated that nation-states remain primary decision-makers in crisis management.
🔹 VI. Theoretical Perspectives
- Realists – Sovereignty remains central in international politics
- Liberals – Sovereignty adapts through cooperation
- Postmodernists – Sovereignty is discursively constructed
- Global Governance Theorists – Shift from government to governance
🔹 CONCLUSION
Sovereignty is not obsolete; it is transformed. Absolute sovereignty has given way to interdependent sovereignty.
In the era of globalization, sovereignty operates within networks of global governance, international norms, and economic interdependence.
Rather than disappearance, we witness a reconfiguration of sovereignty suited to a complex global order.
Shaktimatha Learning – PSIR Advanced Answer Series
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