Trading Sovereignty for Self-Determination

• In Event: Regional Organizations in the Global South

Abstract

Weak states, especially those with a history of colonial or imperial domination, have traditionally been among the strongest advocates for strict norms of sovereignty and non-interference. These states are vulnerable to international pressure, and they have sought to limit this pressure by “jealously” guarding their sovereignty. Yet, after decades of advocating for strict non-interference, many began to delegate interventionist authority to their regional organizations. Examining the case of human rights, I argue that the decision to delegate authority to regional organizations did not indicate acceptance of human rights norms. Instead, it was a way of resisting the imposition of unwanted authority and protecting their right to self-determination. In making this argument, I extend the concept of self-determination to incorporate self-determination over international rules and authority. I demonstrate that the decision by African states to accept the authority of the Organization of African Unity to enforce human rights cannot be fully explained without accounting for the importance of self-determination.

Author

• Katherine M. Beall, Wellesley College