Sovereignty and The Self-Help System

            When looking into the forces driving behind the leading of great states, the role of sovereignty cannot be overlooked. Although government and politics have changed a lot over the last few hundred years, many aspects have not. Although the idea of sovereignty with absolute rule and power isn’t as popular or smart as it used to be, some concepts are still prevalent today. Now, however, states must be even more cautious when it comes to matters with sovereignty. For example, foreign intervention to help an ally or defeat an enemy has many other consequences between military strength and power. When deciding upon international affairs today, just as importantly are economic effects.

The concept and power of sovereignty in our world is almost unparalleled by any other force when it comes to states and leaders’ decision-making. After reading Morgenthau’s piece about how states operate with sovereignty and under self-help system, I can’t help but think about the same rules and practices that follow the same methods in our society. Eventually, I came to the conclusion of the possibility that sovereignty occurs naturally in humans, and that each one of us is wired to the self-help system of living.

            The first comparison that came to mind was the quintessential school playground where the older kids or bullies operate as great states, and the smaller younger kids act as less powerful states. In this system, Morgenthau makes it clear that, “it pays to be selfish in a self-help world.” Therefore, states, or in the real life example of the playground, each child looks after their own self-interest. As great states, the bullies do as they please to the weaker, defenseless kids. However, when it comes to conflict between bullies, it is clear that they fear each other for they do not know the capabilities of one another. Because they all hold power over others, they observe each other with suspicion. As Morgenthau states, “They anticipate danger. There is little room for trust among states.” Just like in the playground, the only way for smaller states to defeat larger ones is through clever strategies. This could involve gaining power slowly with small vectoring, or possibly by joining forces with another smaller power.

This way of thinking has led me to a new idea as well. Does the idea of sovereignty and the self-help system occur naturally? In other words, do these ideas fall under the natural law category of mankind? Overall, we’d have to consider a lot of factors. Although it is true that many people act to help others, but much more often than not, people act in pursuit of their own self-interest. But, does this dictate every social and political situation worldwide? I personally believe that sovereignty reigns in many different aspects of society, on both large and small scales, not just in politics. In addition to the playground example, the same model applies in high school and. the workplace. However, it is also key to examine whether or not the small-scale scenarios in which the self help system exists actually contributes to how government is operated. If this is true, the possibility of the self-help system and personal sovereignty could actually be a part of natural law.