Transnationalism and Subnational Paradiplomacy: Are Governance Networks Perforating Sovereignty?

Abstract

Has the traditional view of the nation-state as the only sovereign actor in international relations given way to a new model with globalization, the rise of subnational governments, and the potential weakening of the state implied by the governance and networks literature? Cross-border interactions now involve an enlarged cast of characters and much theoretical literature suggests that the nation-state is therefore losing power. This article presents new survey research of the Pacific Salmon Commission, a binational organization established under the Canada-U.S. Pacific Salmon Treaty in 1985. While such institutions have assumed a significant role in international relations, this research sought to determine if this represents a reduction of national sovereignty through increased power for either non-state actors or subnational governments.