POLI104 reading 2 - Krasner 2004 'Sharing Sovereignty' - the state, sovereignty, and imperialism

The three traditional elements of Sovereignty

International legal sovereignty (recognition of states), Westphalian sovereignty (non-intervention in internal affairs), and Domestic sovereignty (government's ability to control its territory).

Legal Sovereignty

Recognition of states in the international legal framework.

Westphalian Sovereignty

The principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of sovereign states.

Domestic Sovereignty

The ability of a government to control its territory.

Problems with Conventional Sovereignty

Many states retain legal sovereignty but lack effective domestic sovereignty, leading to conflict, poverty, and criminal activity.

A recognized state despite lacking central institutions.

Somalia

What major issue did Zimbabwe face?

Economic collapse under Robert Mugabe.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Decades of civil war.

Failed states post-external invasion.

Afghanistan and Iraq

Failed States

States that provide safe havens for terrorists and drug traffickers due to poor governance.

Governance Assistance

Foreign aid, training programs, and institutional reforms that attempt to strengthen domestic governance.

Transitional Administration with example

Temporary international governance, such as UN missions in Bosnia and Kosovo.

De Facto Trusteeships

External control over governance in weak states, legitimized through international organizations.

A historical example of de facto trusteeship

UN Administration of East Timor 1999-2002

A historical example of de facto trusteeship in 2000.

British Administration in Sierra Leone

Shared Sovereignty

External actors share authority with local governments in key areas, such as finance and security.

An example of shared sovereignty.

European Oversight of Financial Institutions in Greece

AN example of shared sovereignty

International Role in Liberia's Revenue System 2011

Benefits of Shared Sovereignty

Enhances governance without full foreign rule and creates incentives for local leaders to cooperate.

Challenges of Shared Sovereignty

Resistance from local elites, difficulty in enforcing agreements, and risk of external actors prioritizing their own interests.

Rethinking Sovereignty

The world must move beyond the rigid concept of sovereignty to effectively deal with failed states.