Sovereignty: what does the future hold for the EU and UK?

Research Questions Is the concept of sovereignty outdated in an increasingly globalised world? What are the implications of Brexit for the sovereignty of the United Kingdom?

What is sovereignty?

How do we define state sovereignty? - Taxes Stephen Krasner: political authority based on territory and autonomy But these definitions can be problematic…

A universal concept? Historical background: Reformation, Thirty Years War, Peace of Westphalia Authority of the sovereign nation state as remedy for political and religious disorder Theory of sovereignty as the product of particular circumstances in late mediaeval/early modern Europe Still applicable? Universally applicable?

Nations and states Terms often used interchangeably Nation as a collective of people with common characteristics State defined by territory, population and government Nation state as the political organisation of a nation But what if national and political boundaries do not coincide?

A Middle East of sovereign nation states?

Four meanings of sovereignty Domestic sovereignty Interdependence sovereignty International legal sovereignty Westphalian sovereignty Often appear all together, but this is not necessarily the case

Recognition ‘Sovereignty is more than anything else a matter of legitimacy [...that] requires reciprocal recognition. Sovereignty is a hypothetical trade, in which two potentially conflicting sides, respecting de facto realities of power, exchange such recognitions as their least costly strategy.’ (Wallerstein 2004: 44)

Sovereignty and the UK

What exactly are we talking about?

What about devolution?

What about the EU? Does the process of EU decision-making undermine British Parliamentary sovereignty? Has Britain’s membership in the EU reduced Britain’s domestic authority? Does the fact that successive governments have chosen to transfer powers to the EU change anything?

And what about…

Brexit and sovereignty ‘Take back control’ was the main slogan of the Vote Leave campaign and the argument that Britain had lost its sovereignty and democracy was at the heart of the case for Brexit. But what does taking back control mean? In terms of: borders, immigration, trade, legislation, parliamentary democracy?

EU membership is incompatible with parliamentary sovereignty! Our membership of the EU stops us being able to choose who makes critical decisions which affect all our lives.

‘Sovereignty really means: are you able to get things done ‘Sovereignty really means: are you able to get things done? Are you able to change things, to fix things? You might feel more sovereign, but if you can't get your businesses access to European markets, if you can't keep your people safe… you're less in charge of your destiny.’

Questions 1) In terms of possible 'nation state' successors to the UK, where should the boundaries of England lie? 2) Can the island of Ireland ever be a nation state? 3) Does the process of EU decision-making undermine British Parliamentary sovereignty? 4) Who should have the final say in a Brexit deal?

Debate Motion: ‘The decision of the British people to leave the European Union will lead to the complete restoration of the nation's sovereignty.’

Research questions Is the concept of sovereignty outdated in an increasingly globalised world? What are the implications of Brexit for the sovereignty of the United Kingdom?