Should International Recognition be a Requisite of Statehood essays

Should International Recognition be a Requisite of Statehood essays Considered a Requisite for Statehood? In determining whether a society or body of people should be considered a state or not, it is necessary to take into consideration certain presupposed criteria. Instantly, thoughts of governments, flags and anthems spring to mind. However, it could be argued that a state may be defined to be composed of less. Herein the argument as to just what exactly constitutes a state is borne and pertinently to what degree it should be considered a state, rather than just say a nation (conceivably within a state). Some contemporary definitions of the state have included recognition as a requisite of statehood, particularly as the United Nations (UN) deems recognition a necessity for membership. In terms of defining a state it would be more accurate though, to establish that recognition is beneficial and by no means crucial to the existence of a state. There are many societies operating to the same capacity as your typical state that are not duly recognised. This situation arises usually on the basis of a triviality, a past dispute or political alignments that could be comprised through another governments recognition of that society as an independent and functioning state. Also, paradoxically, international recognition could not be considered a requisite of statehood, if sovereignty is considered fundamental in defining the state. The idea that one actor can constitute another as sovereign is at root contradictory (Mayall J. 1990 cited in: Inoguchi T. 2001: 3) This is because sovereignty implies that there is no higher authority than the government of that state, yet international recognition as a requirement for statehood would require that there is, and that this authority is necessary to confirm the existence of the state to the state. A definition for what exactly constitutes a state is crucial to the argument of the importance of recognition in the international system o...