Impact of globalization on state sovereignty

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• Sovereignty in a new Globalized World
Sovereignty means a self-governing state. It also means the top authority or power in the state. Historically, the dominant power resided in the monarch but in the modern states, the power resides in the people and takes action through representative bodies similar to the Congress. Sovereignty also implies the power to govern a state. In today's world states are self-governing. In history, it meant the king had the power to rule his people (a). Traditionally, Sovereignty meant that there was supreme power over one's country and the power was recognized by international bodies and other countries of the world. In the context of today's democracies, it implies that people have a say over what happens in their country. The characteristics of globalization are there free trade, connectivity, and liberalization. It also means opportunities and learning. Further, it also means cultural globalization, economic globalization, and political globalization. Traditionally, Sovereignty meant final authority. In the current world Sovereignty mainly means states are independent of one another and are autonomous. This also means that within the boundaries of the state the people can choose their form of government. At the same time, it also means that no state has the right to intervene in the internal affairs of another state. Sovereignty also refers to the state's control over transborder movements, the states can enter into international agreements, and states are free to endorse contracts they feel are attractive. Globalization plays an important role in changing the scope of the state. The reach of the state has increased in some areas and in other areas has contracted. Globalization can also reduce the economic power of the state. For example, apart from Great Britain, the European states have set up and surrendered their authority to develop monetary policy to the EU monetary authority. Traditional international law reflects the basic assumption that there is the absolute sovereignty of states, and the law can bind a state only through consent through formal treaties and customs (b). Traditionally, there was no central organization to enforce rules on dissenting states. Traditionally international law applied only in relations between states. In the globalized world, there is a new development in international law. This law is referred to as world law or supranational law. The new law is concerned with the relationship between the state and its citizens. Other types of new international law refer to relations between citizens of different nations. In globalization, this is a shift from traditional international law where it was asserted that individuals have no remedy in international law. In a globalized world, the new international law pertains to individuals. For example, the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights gives a guarantee to individuals the right to free expression, property, life, procedural justice, and property. Another example is the International Convention on Economic,-Social,- and Cultural Rights which guarantees the right to healthcare, economic well-being, and work. These agreements tend to set limits on the domestic policies of states. There are clear international obligations such that a state may not torture people, may not commit piracy, and cannot do genocide are international laws that states have to follow even though they have not endorsed these laws (c). The scope of international human rights law prevents states from interpreting, changing, and applying international law. In a globalized world, nonstate actions influence the content and enforcement of international law. Moreover, non-governmental organizations have become active informing, interpreting, and enforcing new international laws.

• Globalization and Political Sovereignty
Globalization has eroded the power of state governments to control and affect the economies and to direct their political structures. In several countries, politics is market-driven. To remain in office governments must manage national politics in such a manner as to adapt them to trans-national market forces. There is political globalization. There is an unspoken international order that regulates economic interaction. This has been marked by the formation of international organizations specifically the United Nations. This is a global organization but there are several regional organizations such as the Arab League, the African Union, and the European Union. These organizations have built institutions that specify what happens in the governance of member states. This is the commencement and increase of political globalization. There is a strong impact of political globalization on issues of human rights. Today, a state cannot inhumanly treat its nationals and aliens. States must conform to international standards laid down in human rights treaties. If the concentration of sovereignty in international institutes continues, the political sovereignty of states will be subjugated to the institutions (d).

However, the decline in political sovereignty is limited to increasing interdependence and transnational activities. On the other hand, the state's role in making decisions on several new frontiers and its ability to control its population has ...