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Adam Segal of the Council of Foreign Relationsrecently labelled State sovereignty as a more 19th century concern. Considering the continuing evolution of the Responsibility to Protect and events in Iraq, Afganistan, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, is Mr Segal correct? Are we becoming sufficiently globalised to consider State Sovereignty less of a concern than it was in the 19th century? The centrality and importance that debates over security and immigration have or had in most of the current or recent elections around the world argues that Sovereignty is far from dead. Nonetheless, the recent and continuing crisis in the global financial system provides support for Mr Segal’s position.
Are we seeing a trend away from the centrality of Sovereignty in international and domestic law? Are we approaching a tipping point, after which globalisation will continue to inexorably strip away Sovereignty? Alternatively, is the current global position a low point for Sovereignty, from which we will return to a less globalised position, at least from the point of view of international and domestic law? Your thoughts?
I highly recommend looking at the following sites and subscribing to their newsfeeds or email alerts:
The International Crisis Group is a very highly respected international non-government organisation (NGO) focused on preventing and resolving conflict situations through analysis and advocacy.
Another great site for international news, and especially for those with a specific interest in International Humanitarian Law is the Human Security Report Project. The Project is a research body making that research, as well as international news, public.
Transparency International is another highly respected NGO, focusing upon combating corruption around the world. Of particular relevance to lawyers is the corrosive effect corruption has upon the rule of law and all the issues stemming from that, such as respect for the law and access to justice.
Jurist is a news site published by the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Law, which provides legal news and articles submitted by (often most highly qualified) publicists.
Lastly, and certainly not least, is perhaps the capital s “Source” site for international news and developments in international law and relations, the United Nations. For their news service, click here.
The Lowy Institute is an independent international policy think tank based in Sydney. Its objective is to generate new ideas and dialogue on international developments and Australia’s role in the world. Its mandate is broad. It ranges across all the dimensions of international policy debate in Australia – economic, political and strategic – and it is not limited to a particular geographic region.
Check out their website for numerous useful research papers and project information.
The front page story in today’s Australian covers Kevin Rudd’s somewhat bizarre declaration that a Federal Labor Government would attempt to take legal action against Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the International Court of Justice on a “charge of incitement to genocide”.
