Souveränitätsbegrenzung

Souveränitätsbegrenzung refers to the limitation or restriction of a state's sovereign powers. In international law and political science, sovereignty is understood as the supreme authority within a territory, free from external control. However, this absolute power can be subject to certain limitations. These limitations can arise from various sources, including international treaties, customary international law, and membership in international organizations.

States may voluntarily cede or delegate certain powers to international bodies to achieve common goals, such as maintaining peace and security, promoting economic cooperation, or protecting human rights. For example, membership in the European Union involves member states accepting limitations on their economic and legal sovereignty in certain areas. Similarly, international agreements on arms control or environmental protection require states to abide by rules that may restrict their freedom of action.

Furthermore, the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, while a cornerstone of sovereignty, is not absolute. For instance, international human rights law can, in certain circumstances, justify external scrutiny and, in extreme cases, intervention to prevent mass atrocities, thereby limiting a state's sovereign right to manage its internal affairs without regard for its population's fundamental rights. The concept of Souveränitätsbegrenzung is thus a dynamic aspect of statehood in an increasingly interconnected world.