Sovereignty, Independence, and Intervention

Sovereignty and Independence

• Sovereignty (Internal):
  • Total power, legal competence, and privileges of a state from customary international law.
  • Supreme power to enforce its will within its jurisdiction.
  • Freedom from foreign control.
• Independence (External):
  • Freedom to conduct foreign relations without outside control.
  • Not an absolute freedom, but a natural aspiration.

Intervention

• Interference in another state's domestic or foreign affairs through force or threat of force (physical, political, or economic).
  • Nicaragua v. US, Communique 86/8, June 27, 1986
• Generally not allowed under contemporary international law.
  • UN General Assembly resolution states no state can intervene directly or indirectly in another's affairs.
• Allowed only:
  • As self-defense against an armed attack.
  • Pursuant to treaty stipulations.
  • With prior UN authorization.

Humanitarian Intervention

• Intervention of one state into another to protect the nationals of the invaded state.