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sovereign state - is it time the world gave up this old notion?

  • 19-05-2010 05:56AM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,607 ✭✭✭


    It was alright a when the world was growing from villages to districts to eventual countries - but is the idea of a sovereign state kinda old now seeing as we are more Euro centric in policies, laws and taxation, and more global in economic matters trade and travel?


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 634 ✭✭✭loldog


    Well, I think the real issue is how close are the governors to the governed.

    In the past, there have been small autonomous tribes, then larger petty kingdoms and city states, then later nations or large kingdoms, then federated states like the US and USSR and now we're moving to supra-national entities like the EU, which is now flexing its muscles in the area of economic policy setting.

    At each stage, the centre of power moves further away from the ordinary denizen.

    .


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,163 ✭✭✭✭Liam Byrne


    loldog wrote: »
    Well, I think the real issue is how close are the governors to the governed.

    Interesting phrasing; not because it's wrong in itself, but because it struck me that it can be applied in 2 ways:

    1) Physical proximity
    2) Ideological proximity

    I would suggest that physical proximity is less important than ideological closeness.

    If you were being governed ethically and fairly, and could see the bigger picture, then distance doesn't matter.

    Once things go askew, it's then that distance and/or layers of bureacracy get in the way and become more objectionable.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 634 ✭✭✭loldog


    Liam Byrne wrote: »
    Once things go askew, it's then that distance and/or layers of bureacracy get in the way and become more objectionable.

    Aye, like what happened in Ireland in the 1840's.

    .


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,163 ✭✭✭✭Liam Byrne


    loldog wrote: »
    Aye, like what happened in Ireland in the 1840's.

    .

    ,,,and the 2000's


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 634 ✭✭✭loldog


    But getting back to what the OP asked.... I think the Irish have proven themselves quite mercenary when it comes to sovereignty. The main reason people rolled over and voted Yes to Lisbon 2.0 was because of the perceived problems with the economy.

    Looks like old fashioned 19th century nationalism has died out in Ireland. Ne plus ultra and all that.

    .


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,565 ✭✭✭southsiderosie


    stoneill wrote: »
    It was alright a when the world was growing from villages to districts to eventual countries - but is the idea of a sovereign state kinda old now seeing as we are more Euro centric in policies, laws and taxation, and more global in economic matters trade and travel?

    I guess that depends on what you think the most important function of the state is. On questions of war and security, the state is still the most important institution. And certainly when it comes to issues of defense and foreign policy there is not much cooperation within the EU - at the end of the day the large countries in particular pursue their own national interests.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,672 ✭✭✭anymore


    stoneill wrote: »
    It was alright a when the world was growing from villages to districts to eventual countries - but is the idea of a sovereign state kinda old now seeing as we are more Euro centric in policies, laws and taxation, and more global in economic matters trade and travel?
    Bad timing for this thread I am afraid as Madam Merkel has asserted her sovereign rights regarding speculators !
    We of course shocked our european colleagues by our sovereign defence of our financial institutions.


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