Sovereignty’s definition is dynamic; often changing with major geopolitical developments. As a result, this essay asserts that sovereignty has essentially changed with the Cold War’s end. To develop this assertion, a definition of Westphalian sovereignty will be established. Furthermore, the Cold War’s consequences will be explored to understand the reasons behind sovereignty’s change. Additionally, the recent upsurge in humanitarian interventions will be taken as evidence of change. The Responsibility to Protect will be considered as proof of change too. Finally, the impact globalisation has had on sovereignty will be explored. Ultimately, through analysis of these factors, this essay aims to prove that sovereignty has changed significantly with the Cold War’s end.

During the Cold War, sovereignty had remained largely unchanged from its conception in 1648. Westphalian sovereignty revolves around the “principle that within its territorial boundaries the state is the supreme political authority and that outside those boundaries the state recognises no higher political …show more content…
Westphalian sovereignty assumes that states are “the only legal actors internationally,” (Baylis, Owens and Smith 2014, 101). However, the post Cold War increase in international cooperation led to globalisation becoming a driving force, thus allowing non state actors to gain influence and power. For example, the European Union forced Greece and the Republic of Ireland to adopt austerity measures to mitigate the debt crisis. In this instance, a non state actor was able to dictate domestic policy to sovereign states. This contradicts the belief that states are the only legal actors internationally. By allowing bodies like the EU, ASEAN and the Red Cross to act dictatorially in sovereign states, globalisation has contributed to the erosion of sovereign powers. Effectively meaning that sovereignty has changed as a result of