Global Politics Assessment Preparation - Sovereignty and Legitimacy

Traditional Sovereignty

The principle of a state's absolute sovereignty over external and internal affairs

Popular Sovereignty

The idea that state sovereignty is derived from popular consent, which delegates its power to the government. The people as the main source of sovereignty. (derived from the consent of the governed)

Popular Sovereignty in the USA Constitution

1. The Rule of Law

2. Equal political rights

3. Limited Government

4. Inalienable Rights

(more in textbook)

Pooled Sovereignty

When a state gives up some influence in internal and external affairs, in the hope of achieving greater benefits.

Organisations that cause/entail Pooled Sovereignty

Nato, EU, etc.

Pooled Sovereignty advantages example: 4 Freedoms of the EU single market

1. Workers - Move across member state borders to work

2. Goods - buy and sell goods in other member states

3. Capital - Make loans + investments in other member states

4. Services - Sell services in other member states

Responsible sovereignty

A state is responsible for the well-being of its citizens, and if it is incapable of doing so, it should be corrected by the international community (R2P)

Responsibility to Protect: R2P Case Study example?

Libya 2011: The UN Security Council implemented the R2P in Libya, which authorised military intervention to protect civilians from attacks by the Gaddafi regime. (first ever time used)

Indigenous Sovereignty

Inherent rights deriving from spiritual and historical connections to the land

What does Indigenous Sovereignty consist of?

- Culture

- Language

- Spiritual Ways

- Legal Systems

- Political Structures

Sources of Sovereignty

1. Population

2. Tradition

3. Social Contract

4. Religion

5. International law

6. International organisations

7. Other states

Titular sovereignty

The theoretical awarding of sovereign powers, without actual application

Internal Sovereignty

Domestic affairs, how supreme a state's powers are in its own territory and how free the state is to perform its actions

External Sovereignty

International context, how independently it can formulate its actions on the global stage.

Challenges to State Sovereignty

Global threats and factors:

- Multinational corporations

- Internet

- Global financial flows

- Global media corporations

Voluntary reduction of sovereign power:

- Participating in international organisations

- Desire to gain extra prestige and benefits

- Joining supranational alliances

Legitimacy

The perception of whether actors or structures in global politics are justified.

Sources of State Legitimacy

- Protection (collective + individual security)

- Provision (resources, infrastructure, socioecomoic benefits)

- Participation (political decision-making)

How does society respond to state legitimacy/recognize it?

- Paying taxes

- Taking part in obligations (e.g., military service)

Case Study of Lost State Legitimacy - Peru

2022: Pedro Castillo was the president, and he was removed from power and imprisoned. Protests emerged, which caused governmental violence. Participation + protection jeopardized, many people felt the new government lacked legitimacy.

Challenges to State Government and Legitimacy

Four main types:

- Putsch

- Coup d'état

- Revolutionary Coup d'état

- Political/Social Revolution

Sources of legitimacy of non-state actors

1. Weber

2. Beetham

3. Scherz

4. OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)

Weber's three sources of legitimacy

1. Rational-legal legitimacy

2. Traditional Legitimacy

3. Charismatic

OECD Four Sources

1. Input

2. Beliefs

3. Output

4. International

Beetham 3 sources

1. Conformity to rules

2. Justifiability of rules in terms of shared beliefs

3. Legitimation through expressed consent