Key Idea: Sovereignty is a state's supreme authority over its own land and people. It has an internal side (rule at home) and an external side (independence + recognition). The big question: is sovereignty being eroded by globalization, intervention and non-state actors — or is it as strong as ever?
📚 The micros at a glance
What each micro adds
- 1.4.1–1.4.3 What / internal / external — Supreme authority; internal (rule at home) and external (independence + recognition). Can be pooled by choice (the EU).
- 1.4.4 Challenges — Globalization, supranational bodies, humanitarian intervention, huge companies, secession movements, violent non-state actors.
- 1.4.5–1.4.6 Intervention & R2P — Humanitarian intervention and R2P reframe sovereignty as a responsibility, not just a right.
⚖️ The debates that come up
- Globalization limits states
- But states still hold power
- Judge: constrained, not abolished
- Pooled sovereignty (EU)
- Critics: a loss (Brexit)
- Judge: a contested bargain
- R2P: sovereignty as responsibility
- But override is abusable
- Judge: override only in extremes
With reference to a source and one example you have studied, explain one way state sovereignty is challenged.
Model answer plan
See the mark-by-mark plan — for / against / judgement, with marking guidance — in study mode.
Important: Saying sovereignty has 'ended' (or is untouched). Examiners reward a nuanced judgement — sovereignty is <strong>constrained but not abolished</strong>; distinguish internal from external sovereignty; and note it can be <strong>pooled by choice</strong> (EU) as well as squeezed by pressure.
Answer in your head first, then tap to reveal.
What is sovereignty? A state's supreme authority over its own territory and people — the highest power, with no one above it inside its borders.
What is the difference between internal and external sovereignty? Internal = supreme authority at home (making and enforcing laws); external = independence from outside control plus recognition as a sovereign equal by other states.
What challenges sovereignty? Globalization and interdependence, supranational bodies (EU/UN), humanitarian intervention, huge companies, secession movements and violent non-state actors.
What is pooled sovereignty? When states give up a little external sovereignty and combine it (as in the EU) to gain more influence together — supporters see it as useful, critics (Brexit) as a loss.
How does R2P change sovereignty? It reframes sovereignty as a responsibility, not just a right: a state that fails to protect its people, or attacks them, forfeits the shield of sovereignty.
Exam tips
- Sovereignty = supreme authority; internal + external sides.
- Judge: constrained but NOT abolished.
- Pooled by choice (EU) vs squeezed by pressure.
- R2P: sovereignty as a responsibility, not just a right.