In the course of human history, the myth surrounding ‘state sovereignty’ has been exposed, which has lived of its usefulness. This conclusion is only natural since the dominant discourse on state sovereignty emerged around an exclusive and narrow understanding of humanity. Evidently, the existence of state as the only political institution of sovereignty emerged at the expense of people’s aspiration. It is no wonder that monopoly and exercise of force by State to establish its legitimacy is a contradiction, which belies its moral relevance and political legitimacy.
Through its hegemonizing and homogenizing characteristics, the State has ensured that the question of war and peace is a matter of State prerogative. Nonetheless, experience has shown that priority of a State is its interest to protect what it considers its national interest and to compete with other existing States. In essence, the notion of statebuilding is in direct confrontation with peoples’ aspiration to decide their own future and to live in peace. Real politik has ensured that just because a people have rights does not necessarily mean that they enjoy them.
However, absolutism of state sovereignty which dominated international politics has been critically interrogated by the forces of global events that unfolded since 1991. The idea of State and Territorial Sovereignty no longer remains in an unchallenged position. The idea that sovereignty lies with the people is becoming more real. Perhaps this is also the reason why some countries that are considered as strong democracies are slowly giving way to the traditional concept of state sovereignty, by overcoming rigid positions around territorial integrity.
It is essential that humanity goes beyond state sovereignty. This is indispensable for the rehumanization of a people which would empower ordinary people to exercise their sovereign powers to become self-determining. For a new world order that respects the equal rights of all peoples, it is quite necessary to think beyond the existing Westphalian State system, which has dominated the world for the last 400 years. The need for new ideas and thoughts is of the essence. However, it is unlikely that such new thinking will emerge out of the present dominant knowledge systems.
Struggling people around the world need to take a more proactive initiative in enabling critical dialogue so that it may give birth to new ideas on how people can exercise their sovereign rights. It is already established that struggling people don’t wish to recreate or carry on with the existing political order which is violent in nature. If it is the hope of humanity to transcend present notions of political order for a more just and peaceful system, it is imperative for new ideas to imagine and create new concepts on how sovereignty can be lived in its fullest meaning.
