This research considers the question: "Is sovereignty an obsolete or impossible goal in a world of non state actors and transboundary issues?" Included in this research are (1) a problem statement, (2) a presentation of five testable hypothe ses for the investigation of the problem, and (3) a list of three journal articles which would likely be useful in the testing of the hypotheses.
In the contemporary world order, it is becoming increas ingly difficult for small states to maintain any semblance of meaningful sovereignty. The most typically used classification system categorizes states according to five gradiations super powers, great powers, middle powers, small states, and mini states (Aron, 1987). The super powers, as a consequence of the combination of the extent of their nuclear development, their control of essential natural resources, and the strength of their economic development are able to protect themselves and their interests against any other power (Handel, 1988). A definition of a great power is that it is a state which is capable of securing its own existence against any other single state, other than one of the super powers. Andrew (1986, p.
1 229) called the middle powers "the upper crust of the non great." Handle (1988, p. 23) said that, on "the whole, they exhibit characteristics of weak states, rather than those of the great powers." Small states are characterized by their military weakness (Wolfers, 1943). It is not absolute military weakness which is always the relevant criterion, however, in international relations; it is, more often than not, relative military weakness which is the relevant criterion. Thus, while a small state may never be in a position to, alone, effectively defend its interests against a middle power, and certainly not against a great power or a super power, it may, on occasion, be able to effectively defend its interests against another small state. A mini state is on...