Chapter 11: Political Challenges to State Sovereignty (APHUG)

Devolution: Challenges to State Sovereignty

The Process Of Devolution

Physical Geography:

One factor that causes devolution is physical geography. Friction of Distance states that as distance increase, quality and quantity of interaction will reduce greatly. In modern times, distance decay plays less of an important role but it is still crucial. States with fragmented geography can also have challenges with unity. It is more difficult to form a cohesive state when physical division poses a challenge.

Ethnic Separatism

This occurs when people identify more strongly as an ethnic group than a state. This happens as a result of system injustice against an ethnicity, both culturally and legally. This is especially common in stateless nations. Sometimes, the issue is so strong that governments attack ethnic groups and attempt to eliminate them through expulsion, imprisonment, and killing.

Destabilization occurs when a region shares ethnic, cultural, or historical traits with the people of a neighboring state. This can lead to irredentism. Digital technology has also greatly increased ethnic separatism through communication.

Economic and Social Problems

Economic problems may also occur due to the way governments allocate funds to different regions. Social issues may also occur due to discrimination against a minority group, casual or legally.

Responses to Devolutionary Forces

Responses to Devolutionary Forces also vary. A country may address devolutionary forces by providing more resources and power to sub-national forces. Canada does this. Devolutionary forces can lead to sovereignty and self-determination, such as Scotland and Ireland. It may also shift a country’s style of government, such as Belgium shifting from a unitary to a federal state in 1970. Sometimes this can cause countries to split apart, when the devolutionary forces prove to strong.

Supranationalism: Transcending State Boundaries

What is Supranationalism?

A supranational organization is an alliance of three or more states that work together in pursuit of common goals or to address an issue or challenge that these countries share. The first example of supranationalism was the formation of the League of Nations. NATO also works against Soviet and/or Russian interests. The EU was formed to create economic and security alliances after world war 2. The Arab League was also formed in 1945 and was meant to strengthen and regulate political, cultural, economic, and social programs to settle disagreements in the Middle East. ASEAN, Association of Southeast Asian Nations keeps peace in that region.

Benefits of Supranationalism

Supranationalism can create “Economies of Scale” which products can be produced for less. It can also create increased military problems and can also create increased communication and collaboration. In case of emergencies, countries can also call on each other in times of need.