State Sovereignty Research Articles

The System of Social Sciences in the Context of Civilizational Approach: Formulating the Problem

In modern socio-humanitarian disciplines, the concept of a “system of social sciences” is absent. This concept existed in Soviet times and meant, among other things, the existence of a single conceptual social science apparatus and methodology. It is generally recognized that the interdisciplinary approach that replaced this system, which was recognized in our country after the collapse of the Soviet Union, is based on the difference in concepts, subjects and objects of research of the sciences of the entire socio-humanitarian block. At the same time, Russian social science practically does not pay attention to the theoretical and methodological relationship between the interdisciplinary approach and the concept of globalization, developed in Western science mainly in the second half of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries and which came to our country in the post-Soviet period in many ways in a “ready-made” form. At the same time, those researchers who state such a relationship consider this circumstance as a virtue of an interdisciplinary approach. In the first part of this article, an attempt is made to analyze the impact of the concept of globalization, in particular, its characteristic denial of the values of national statehood, sovereignty, including cultural and historical, on the formation and general principles of an interdisciplinary approach. The second part examines modern concepts of Russia as a civilization, first of all, the concept of state-civilization, currently introduced in the “Concept of Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation” dated March 30, 2023 and “Fundamentals of state policy in the field of historical education” dated May 08, 2024, in the context of the advantages of the Soviet Union identified by the author the experience of the social sciences system. At the end of the article, proposals are made to combine some basic principles of Soviet social science with a modern civilizational approach in order to create a unified value framework for the disciplines of the socio-humanitarian block.

CIVILIZATION WARS OF RUSSIA IN XX AND XXI CENTURIES: CAUSES AND EFFECTS FOR ECONOMIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT

The article considers historic foundations of the world civilization dynamics, reveals crucial phases of this dynamics in the form of civilization wars when one civilization is intent on destroying the other. The article characterizes modern conditions of the world society as one being in global crisis. One of the crisis’ causes is contradictions of different civilization systems. The article pays special attention to such notions as “civilization”, “civilization war”, “civilization development”. The specifies different aspects of civilization wars imposed on our country in XX and XXI centuries. The article pays special attention to the question of measurement system aimed to strengthen national sovereignty in economics and technologies, which is necessary in the conditions of war and isolation of Russia from economic and finance markets of the western world. Therefore, the article specifically analyzes the provisions of the Technological Development Concept up to 2030. The article suggests options for answering civilization calls that, on the one hand, considers interactions with Asia, Latin America and Africa, on the other hand — ​strengthening economic and technological sovereignty of Russia. This approach addresses to political, economic and ideologic aspects. The article specially examines the ideas and views of contemporary Russian researchers and analysts in terms of diverse ways and forms of international relations’ normalization, the world community “self-organization” being in the opposition to the hegemonic policy of the collective West headed by the USA.

The Concept of International Relations in Taoist Thought

In today’s world, exchanges between different countries and regions are becoming more frequent. With the increase in exchanges, interests and disputes have also emerged. We have seen the beauty of mutually beneficial cooperation, but also the tragedy of war. Today’s international order is a sovereign state-centered system based on the Westphalian system and the final result of World War II. Various international cooperation organizations established after World War II have promoted exchanges and cooperation between different countries and regions, but we have to admit that most countries still treat each other as their competitors, and national strength is still the most important support for national behavior. With global warming, marine pollution, ecological disasters, transnational The emergence of a series of global problems such as crime requires us to reflect on whether this international exchange model centered on national interests can effectively deal with global problems, and whether we are too focused on human beings themselves and forget that we are part of nature. Taoist thought, especially the system with “Tao” as the core expounded by Lao Tzu in the “Tao Te Ching”, has great reference value for our understanding of nature and the relationship between man and nature. He expounded the way and norms of communication between countries with “Tao” as the core, opening up a new perspective for us to understand international relations. This article attempts to explore the concept of international relations in Taoist thought and provide reference for broadening the international relations theory based on Taoist ideas.

Decoy politics: How settler states deflect Indigenous threats

Anglo settler states like Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States were built through the dispossession of Indigenous lands and through the disruption of Indigenous political, social and economic systems. Over time, however, Indigenous nations have challenged the unjust foundations of these states, forcing settler states to respond with repression but also with accommodation, especially in the face of successful Indigenous mobilization. Yet even during these moments, state actors have resisted changes to state sovereignty, sometimes by creating new institutions that seem responsive, but which simply reinforce the status quo. To make sense of these moments, we introduce the concept of “decoy politics” and develop a theory for why states might turn to decoy politics, with a particular focus on Canada. Our findings suggest decoy politics may help explain why reconciliation with Indigenous nations remains difficult despite seemingly genuine attempts at meaningful institutional and policy change.

Canadian foreign policy analysis and Inuit within Canada

ABSTRACT This article examines transnational Indigenous cooperation among Permanent Participants in the Arctic Council using decolonialism and Indigenization in Canadian foreign policy analysis. The mainstream IR approaches primarily consider Indigenous NGOs as civil society groups united by common interests and cultures and as organizations that promote social change. This study argues that unlike other types of NGOs, Indigenous organizations have a complex social identity, which is influenced by settler-colonial heritage. Besides this, transnationalism promotes collective Indigenous agency. Like feminist IR, Indigenous IR scholarship challenges dominant worldviews and conceptualizations of Westphalian sovereignty, nation-state, and security. This study suggests comparing the state-centred IR concepts and Inuit within Canada’s understandings of the same terms. Although the Inuit within Canada perceive international relations distinctly, their conceptualizations of IR should be recognized by state structures. The article suggests that CFPA should incorporate Indigenous ways of knowing and promote transnational Indigenous IR studies to decolonize foreign policy and include Indigenous views in analysis.

Sufferings, Resilience, and Triumph over Despair in Linda Sue Park’s A Long Walk to Water

This research paper explores the plights of the refugees and their experiences in the place of origin, during the journey and in the host country, which are similar and caused by the same entity of state sovereignty and the use of state of exception in the text A Long Walk to Water. The civil war in Sudan compels Salva and many Sudanese people to leave their home country and live the very painful lives. Their plight is generally universal plight of every asylum seeker. In A Long Walk to Water, Salva starts facing a new set of obstacles after leaving his home country, Sudan and continues even in the host country. Despite the daunting obstacles, Salva's extraordinary resilience, determination, and willingness to adapt enables him to overcome his sufferings. This research paper finally argues that the problems of the right less/stateless people will have to be addressed by creating an unshakable framework by combining ideas of universal right to the political space with ethics of unconditional hospitality. Towards a creating an equal space for every individual, Hannah Ardent’s rights to have right, Kant’s universal hospitality and Derrida’s unconditional hospitality can be instrumental to minimize the sufferings of the refugees in this world. To improve and alleviate the sufferings of refugees, their rights will have to come from their equal access to the political space and legalization of their rights will have to be guided by humanitarian perspectives.

Browning’s Poetics of Necropolitical Power Dynamics

This article explores the life-scaring power dynamics in Browning’s poetry regarding the social praxis of gender as staged by Robert Browning’s “Porphyria’s Lover” and “My Last Duchess.” To this end, it peruses these poems to show the poetic necropolitics; politics of death. Delving into the poems, the male chauvinist narrators hold the bodies of their female counterparts before annihilating them. Taking stock of necropolitical power wielded by the sovereign narrators, this paper aims to parse the deadening lives of the perpetrated Duchess and Porphyria. For this purpose, it deploys Achille Mbembe’s understanding of necropolitics as a critical insight that he imbibes from Michel Foucault’s biopolitical racism (that holds the authority to deploy alterity and expose life to death). Meanwhile, the study does not only expand the necropolitical literary explication of Browning's poems, nonetheless, it attempts to reorient the readers to reexamine the alibi of the killers in the poems. Enthused by Mbembe’s acumen that revisits how power makes its subjects docile through political decisionism: “who must live and who must die,” this paper debates the sexist discourse of the killer-narrators and the living-dead ladies before their killing. Largely, it wonders to know how the subjects turn out to be the living dead or the object of male sadism. To elucidate this life-scaring politics; necropolitics, this paper also probes the presence (hegemonic existence) of sexist males that renders the female absent (non-existence) before they are immolated in the poems. It concludes that sexist patriarchy replicating the sovereign power constitutes the precarious life of the females via making them abject and invisible through ‘corpsing-policy’ which becomes a pertinent issue to rear humanism in Humanity Studies.

The political economy of import substitution and Russian practice

The article analyzes the processes of import substitution in the high–tech segment of the economy of the Russian Federation - in the IT sphere. The purpose of the article is to explore the modern features of the Russian IT market of new trends. It is shown that import substitution can play an important role in stabilizing and balancing the market, which is confirmed by research by serious authors, including domestic ones, and the existing practice in the world – both developed and developing countries. The article shows that one of the directions of sanctions imposed by Western "partners" against the Russian Federation was the desire to undermine the domestic IT sector. For this purpose, in 2014–2023, almost all significant foreign actors left our country. However, the domestic IT market has shown growth 2 times higher than the global figure. This was facilitated by the general economic growth in the Russian Federation, the growth of state support for the industry, significant investments by domestic enterprises in the IT sector, as well as the need to ensure national technological sovereignty and general economic security. The author comes to the conclusion that the IT market in Russia has not only been preserved, but has also been further developed both in quantitative and qualitative parameters, which confirms, firstly, its resilience, and secondly, the presence in our country of technical, financial, qualification, scientific, innovative as well as infrastructural opportunities for its development. The policy and practice of import substitution played a crucial role in this.

In Pursuit of Sustainable Development: Safeguarding the Right to Regulate

In a world where the balance between economic globalization and national sovereignty is constantly evolving, the right to regulate becomes a crucial aspect of ensuring sustainable and inclusive development. This article explores the complex dynamics of protecting this essential right within the framework of international trade and investment agreements. Drawing upon a comprehensive analysis of legal frameworks, case studies, and scholarly discourse, it sheds light on the challenges and opportunities associated with preserving the right to regulate. By examining the intricate interplay between trade liberalization and regulatory autonomy, it provides a nuanced understanding of how nations can effectively navigate the complex terrain of global governance while safeguarding their ability to enact and enforce domestic regulations. Furthermore, the article explores the implications of regulatory measures on environmental protection and sustainable development, investigating potential conflicts between international trade obligations and the sovereign right of nations to regulate in the best interest of their citizens. Through a multidisciplinary approach, encompassing legal analysis, policy evaluation, and socioeconomic considerations, it aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse on striking a delicate balance between economic integration and the preservation of national regulatory autonomy, ultimately providing policymakers, scholars, and stakeholders with valuable insights and recommendations to navigate the complex landscape of international trade and investment agreements.

An Arrested Dialectic: The National Past and (Post-)Dissident Catholic Moral Reasoning in Slovakia

During the 1980s, Catholic dissidents in Slovakia constructed divergent modes of moral reasoning. While national democratic Catholic dissidents looked to universal Catholic morality, nationalist Catholic dissidents anchored their moral reasoning in nationalized ethics. Their respective modes of moral reasoning were crucially formed in the making of national Catholic memory. If both appreciated Slovak sovereignty, the former prioritized democracy, human rights, and dialogue across religious and ethnic divides, the latter national independence over democracy. This in turn determined how and when they pursued Slovak cultural and political sovereignty across the boundary of 1989.

Deciding The Provisional Measures Regarding the Suspension of Criminal Procedure by International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID)

The Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes Between States and Nationals of Other States (hereafter referred to as the Convention), as well as the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) was established within the framework of the Convention, aims to resolve disputes encountered in international investments in a prompt and facilitated manner under an independent credible judicial mechanism. ICSID tribunals can order provisional measures in a dispute presented before them to protect the parties’ mutual rights as mentioned in Article 47 of the Convention. The raison d’être for these measures is to ensure the integrity of the proceedings and exclusivity of the ICSID arbitration by preserving the status quo and preventing aggravation of the dispute. However, no explicit statement occurs in the Convention which suggests that the possibility of rendering a decision regarding provisional measures against a national criminal proceeding. Criminal proceedings are perhaps the most indisputable component of state sovereignty. Hence, the tribunals acknowledge a high threshold shall be required to justify an intervention in national criminal proceedings. Therefore, any intervention related to criminal proceedings that conflict with the sovereignty of a state authority should be evaluated case by case and kept at a minimum. In this context, the current paper will address the provisional measures that are orderable by ICSID tribunals, the impact these measures have on pending criminal proceedings in domestic law. ICSID’s authority to impose sanctions on state parties if they do not comply with the measures in relation to the criminal proceedings. In addition, the article will evaluate requests for provisional measures to comprehend whether or not they intervene in the sovereign authority of a state party. We should also point out that, arbitration is a multidisciplinary subject, it has connections with International law, Constitution and other legal disciplines. However, the issue will only be handled within the scope of ICSID and criminal procedure.

The State Sovereignty of Russia in the 21st Century: The Path Traveled and Vision of the Future

The State Sovereignty of Russia in the 21st Century: The Path Traveled and Vision of the Future

Title over the territory in establishing the jurisdiction of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in the case of Ukraine v. russia

The article is dedicated to the analysis of the violations of Ukraine's sovereign rights in the maritime areas adjacent to the occupied Crimean Peninsula by the russian federation since 2014. The author examines the legal mechanisms that Ukraine employs to protect its interests within the framework of international law, particularly through appeals to international judicial and arbitral bodies in accordance with the provisions of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Special attention is given to the arbitration proceedings initiated by Ukraine in 2016 against the russian federation, aimed at recognizing the violations by russia related to the unlawful exploitation of natural resources on the continental shelf and within the exclusive economic zone, as well as the usurpation of fishing rights and the transit of Ukrainian vessels through the Kerch Strait. The article thoroughly examines Ukraine's arguments and the position of the russian federation, particularly regarding the jurisdiction of the arbitration. The main issue raised in the article is the refusal of the arbitration to recognize its jurisdiction over the dispute due to the question of Ukraine's sovereignty over the Crimean Peninsula, which significantly complicates holding russia accountable. The practices of the arbitration and the maritime tribunal are analyzed to understand potential avenues for resolving the dispute. This article contributes to the understanding of complex legal issues arising in the context of contemporary international conflicts and offers a critical review of existing legal mechanisms for the protection of sovereign rights of states in maritime areas, using the Ukraine vs. russia case as an example.

Educational Policy and Activities of East India Company (1600-1765)

Abstract: The 19th century witnessed a profound transformation in the political landscape of many regions, characterized by the rise of nationalism and the subsequent formation of nation-states. This research work delves into the historical context, key drivers, and consequences of this significant historical phenomenon. The research offers light on a crucial time in global history by investigating the causes of nationalism and its effects on the formation of nation-states. Employing a multidisciplinary approach, the research draws from historical, political, and sociocultural perspectives to analyze the rise of nationalism. It delves at how many peoples inside established empires and territories felt a feeling of commonality due to their shared cultural, linguistic, and historical identities. The work delves into the influence of Enlightenment ideas, Romanticism, and intellectual movements that fueled the concept of self-determination and the sovereignty of distinct nations. The study also scrutinizes the role of key historical events and figures that catalyzed the nationalist fervor. From the unification of Italy led by Giuseppe Garibaldi to the German unification orchestrated by Otto von Bismarck, the work examines the strategies employed to consolidate fragmented territories into cohesive nation-states. It also considers the implications of these transformations on regional stability, diplomacy, and balance of power. Furthermore, the research investigates the potential tensions arising from the juxtaposition of national identities and existing imperial structures. It delves into instances where nationalism clashed with multiethnic empires, often leading to complex negotiations of autonomy, self-governance, or secession.

The impact of population growth on housing food security and transportation

Background: Rapid population growth and its impact on the environment is a major problem facing the world today, in addition to other issues that also require serious handling and attention. Rapid population growth, especially in cities and urban areas, puts pressure on the fulfillment of population needs that must be provided to ensure the survival of the population. Population growth has an impact on the increasing needs of the population for affordable housing, food needs, transportation. Method: This research uses a qualitative approach based on case studies and literature reviews. This approach involves a critical and in-depth evaluation of previous research, focusing on data collected from various sources related to the impact of population growth on affordable housing, food needs, and sustainable transportation. Findings: The rate of population growth has an impact on environmental sustainability, as a result of the exploitation of natural resources to fulfill various needs, including food needs. Population growth has a linear effect on the demand for food, such as rice and tubers, through the provision of agricultural land. This increase in consumption value occurs in an increasingly limited stock of natural resources, therefore a food fulfillment strategy is needed to achieve national food security and sovereignty, to meet the needs of the population and for food stocks to anticipate undesirable things, such as natural disasters and crop failures. Some of the efforts that can be made are food diversification, intensification, and extensification of agriculture accompanied by the active role of the government in providing infrastructure and supporting policies. Population growth also affects the level of population mobility. Each individual carries out daily activities such as school, work and other activities. This population mobility greatly affects the use of transportation modes to reach certain destinations. The mode of transportation consists of private vehicles and public vehicles. Conclusion: If the use of private vehicles is more than public vehicles, there is the potential for traffic congestion. In addition, the more vehicles used, the greater the carbon emissions produced so that it can cause greenhouse gas effects. One of the efforts that can be made is to implement sustainable transportation management through Transit Oriented Development (TOD) in the provision of transportation modes. TOD is expected to make private vehicle users switch to using public transportation. Novelty/Originality of this study: This research proposes a holistic approach to address the impacts of urban population growth, combining strategies for food diversification, transit-based development, and affordable housing. This framework is expected to be a practical innovation for sustainable urban development in countries with rapid population growth.

Representation of Turkish Identity and Norms in the Media: 2020 Karabakh War

The Nagorno-Karabakh issue between Azerbaijan and Armenia became one of the most critical agenda items in the international community again in 2020, resulting in thousands of casualties from both countries due to the conflicts. This study discusses Türkiye’s attitude towards the 2020 Karabakh War in the context of international relations, based on the constructivist theory. It focuses on explaining how the country’s national identity, as well as the international norms it adheres to, played a decisive role in its current foreign policy implementation. To do this, news articles related to the 2020 Karabakh War were gathered from Turkish and Azerbaijani news portals and subjected to content analysis. The analysis findings revealed that both Turkish and Azerbaijani media heavily emphasized messages related to shared identities and norms that play a significant role in shaping the perception and identities of the parties involved in the conflict. Furthermore, the media depicted the war as a matter of national identity and sovereignty.

Procedural Aspects of Overcoming Sovereign Immunity: Relevance for Ukraine and the International Legal Order (SDG'S)

Objective: The object of this research article is the procedural domestic and international aspects of overcoming the sovereign immunity of a State that has committed military aggression, violating international humanitarian law and human rights law, with a focus on compensation for the damage caused by such actions. Method: The method of study involves a critical analysis of the approaches taken by the Supreme Court of Ukraine to overcome jurisdictional immunity, in light of international law norms. The authors employs a combination of legal analysis, case law examination, and comparative analysis of international practices to evaluate the compliance of the court's decisions with conventional provisions on compensation for damages. Results: This research article analyses the procedural domestic and international aspects of overcoming the sovereign immunity of a State whose military aggression has violated international humanitarian law and human rights law, and on this basis raises the issue of compensation for the damage caused by such actions. Special attention is paid to the approaches to overcoming jurisdictional immunity by the Supreme Court of Ukraine. Taking into account the norms of international law, the author critically analyses the court's compliance with the conventional provisions establishing the procedure for consideration of cases on compensation for damages. The aggressor State's disregard for the norms and principles of international law, sovereignty of other States, and international good faith does not give rise to a disregard for the norms of international law based on the principle of reciprocity. The author emphasises that compliance with the rules on court proceedings must comply with the conventional requirements, and this should be the basis for national case law on school compensation. The authors analyses legal immunities and jurisdictional immunity of the State in particular in the context of ensuring justice, which, according to international standards, is the basis for fair treatment of victims of armed aggression and ensuring access to justice. Contribution: It is noted that the application of the rules of jurisdictional immunity is the basis for limiting the right to a trial, which should be proportionate. The authors identifies the prospects for the development of international practice of interpreting the areas of ensuring the right to a fair trial, in particular, based on the practice of international courts. The author summarises the directions of changing approaches to the validity of the application of absolute immunity, and the dynamic interpretation of the legitimate purpose of limiting the right to a court, which is necessary and permissible provided that the essence of this right is preserved. The author emphasises the importance of the effectiveness of reparations as a principle and its significance for the development and provision of transitional justice in Ukraine.

The interrelationship between sovereignty, state building, and good governance: the case of the Kurdistan region

ABSTRACT The process of state building and sovereignty has long been debated in the literature to hinge on international recognition. Despite the importance of the international factor, an equally important factor in this process is the establishment of good governance grounded in democratic institutions and a culture of democratic decision-making practices. The link that will be established is between state building and governance. This will be investigated in the context of unrecognized and de facto states. By problematizing the question of sovereignty, I argue that these states should adopt the idea of reversed sovereignty whereby priority is given to governmentality and the art of government rather than to sovereignty. The case study that I will rely on for this argument is the Kurdistan Region in Iraq (KRI) and its governmental body, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). Whilst the focus is on a single country study, the theoretical line has a wider reach that is intended to be applicable to a larger body of cases of unrecognized and de facto states, which are on the trails of seeking state formations.

THE MOROCCAN CRISES (1905-1911) AND THE POLICIES IMPLEMENTED BY THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE DURING THE CRISES

In the quarter of a century before the First World War, there were numerous economic and political developments that shaped the Allied and Entente blocs. The Moroccan crisis holds a decisive place within these developments. The struggle of the Western Powers to share Morocco at the beginning of the 20th century was at the center of the crisis. The unequal bilateral relations developed between the Ottoman Empire and the Western Powers during the process of opening up to capitalism influenced the foreign policy as well as the economic policies of the state. In this study, the economic, political and social foundations of the policies followed by the Ottoman Empire during the crisis in Morocco, which was both its neighbor in terms of its domination area and its ideological rival in the Islamic world, are discussed using primary sources. In this context, the aim of the study is to reveal whether the Ottoman Empire, depending on its perception of threat, tried to implement a set of reactive, preventive, and supportive policies towards Morocco in terms of military, political, or economic aspects. The findings of the study show that the policies implemented are carried out on a political and military basis and through indirect channels. As a matter of fact, the Ottoman Empire's approach to the Moroccan crises was shaped by Pan-Islamist policies under the influence of Germany, the preservation of its sovereign rights in North Africa, the protection of its subjects in the region, and the question of nationality and the repercussions of the Franco-German rivalry in Morocco on the Ottoman country.

Editorial: The Workshop ‘Pursuing Fairness in Times of Crisis: Reflections on the Future of International Economic Law’ Held within the 2023 ESIL Annual Conference

This editorial reflects on the discussions held during the workshop 'Pursuing Fairness in Times of Crisis: Reflections on the Future of International Economic Law', organized by the Interest Group on International Economic Law of the European Society of International Law (ESIL). The workshop highlighted the challenges and ethical dilemmas related to fairness in international investment arbitration. The selection of five contributions for this special edition from a multitude of submissions underscores the diversity and complexity of the topics addressed. The editorial also highlights the decline in new investment treaties in recent years, analyzing factors such as economic nationalism, geopolitical tensions, and the reassessment of existing treaties. In the current context, investment treaties remain crucial but require ongoing reassessment to ensure a fair balance between investor protection and state sovereignty.