Modern versus Postmodern State and Sovereignty

Abstract

In today’s globalising and fragmenting world, where the great picture of sovereignty is being replaced by ‘language games’ around this notion, it is worth noting that there has not actually been much discussion of the term. In many articles the dispute is rather short and not deep enough in comparison with discussions of other terms in international law. The designation of ‘sovereignty’ needs to also take into account the cultural diversity of the world – different dominant beliefs, customs, ethnic traditions, and values. In relation to globalisation, the existence of different civilisations and values side by side creates a completely new situation. In order to understand paradigmatic breakthroughs in statehoods and sovereignties in today’s globalising world, we will take a retrospective look at when modern states were just starting to develop.