Sovereignty 2 0 Adapting The Westphalian Principle To The Technopolar

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Dec 28, 2025, 2:55 PM

sovereignty 2 0 adapting the westphalian principle to the technopolar

This chapter builds upon the evolving concept of sovereignty in the digital age, introducing the idea of Sovereignty 2.0—a paradigm shift where state power is increasingly defined by infrastructural and technological capabilities rather than... In the technopolar world, sovereignty encompasses the ability to regulate data, control algorithms, and secure hardware infrastructure. The chapter focuses on data sovereignty as the first critical pillar of this transformation, exploring how states seek to reclaim control over information flows by asserting legal jurisdiction over data generated within their borders. Case studies from the EU, China, India, and Brazil illustrate diverse strategies, from regulatory frameworks like the GDPR and China’s strict localization mandates to emerging cloud infrastructure initiatives. The rationale for data sovereignty includes national security, privacy, economic development, and resistance to digital dependency. Yet, the chapter also highlights tensions: heavy-handed localization may fragment the internet, raise costs, and undermine global interoperability.

Moreover, foreign surveillance, corporate dominance, and technological asymmetries continue to threaten genuine sovereignty. As states navigate this complex terrain, they must balance openness with autonomy and security with freedom. This chapter sets the foundation for exploring algorithmic sovereignty in the next section, where data’s strategic value becomes most apparent through its role in AI governance. This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access. Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout Abagun, T.

(2025, April 8). Data Sovereignty in Africa: A Crucial Conversation. ITWeb. Retrieved May 5, 2025, from https://www.itweb.co.za/article/data-sovereignty-in-africa-a-crucial-conversation/mYZRXv9gZLRMOgA8 Africa Practice. (2025).

Africa: Tech Policy Trends to Watch in 2025. Retrieved May 5, 2025, from https://africapractice.com/insights/africa-tech-policy-trends-to-watch-in-2025/ The Westphalian system, also known as Westphalian sovereignty, is a principle in international law that each state has exclusive sovereignty over its territory. The principle developed in Europe after the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, based on the state theory of Jean Bodin and the natural law teachings of Hugo Grotius. It underlies the modern international system of sovereign states and is enshrined in the United Nations Charter, which states that "nothing ... shall authorize the United Nations to intervene in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any state."[1]

According to the principle, every state, no matter how large or small, has an equal right to sovereignty.[2] Political scientists have traced the concept to the eponymous peace treaties that ended the Thirty Years'... The principle of non-interference was further developed in the 18th century. The Westphalian system reached its peak in the 19th and 20th centuries, but has faced recent challenges from advocates of humanitarian intervention.[3] A series of treaties made up the Peace of Westphalia, which has been considered by political scientists to be the beginning of the modern international system,[4][5][6][7] in which external powers should avoid interfering in... The then-emerging Reformation had undermined this as Protestant-controlled states were less willing to respect the "supra authority" of both the Catholic Church and the Catholic Habsburg-led Emperor. Recent scholarship has argued that the titular Westphalian treaties in 1648 actually had little to do with the principles with which they are often associated: sovereignty, non-intervention, and the legal equality of states.

For example, Andreas Osiander writes that "the treaties confirm neither [France's or Sweden's] 'sovereignty' nor anybody else's; least of all do they contain anything about sovereignty as a principle."[9] Political scientists like Hall Gardner... Yet others, often post-colonialist scholars, point out the limited relevance of the 1648 system to the histories and state systems in the non-Western world.[12] Nonetheless, "Westphalian sovereignty" continues to be used as a shorthand... The applicability and relevance of these principles have been questioned since the mid-20th century onward from a variety of viewpoints. Much of the debate has turned on the ideas of internationalism and globalization, which some say conflicts with the doctrine of the two swords ideal of self-sovereignty.[13][14][15] The origins of Westphalian sovereignty have been traced in the scholarly literature to the eponymous Peace of Westphalia (1648). The peace treaties put an end to the Thirty Years' War, a war of religion that devastated Germany and killed 30% of its population.

Since neither the Catholics nor the Protestants had won a clear victory, the peace settlement established a status quo order in which states would refrain from interfering in each other's religious practices.[8] Henry Kissinger... World Geostrategic Insights interview with Thomas Wuchte on the necessity for the United States to… World Geostrategic Insights interview with Major General Dr. S. B. Asthana on the complexity of…

World Geostrategic Insights interviews Stevie Hamilton on how to ensure investment stability in Africa’s critical… World Geostrategic Insights interview with Michael J. Murphy on the internal and external threats to… World Geostrategic Insights interview with Kazuto Suzuki on how Japan is adapting its economic security… Westphalian sovereignty, originating from the Peace of Westphalia treaties in 1648, profoundly impacts the architecture of international relations. Delving into this complex term offers a clearer understanding of how states interact in today's global environment.

The Westphalian model was birthed in a Europe riddled with conflict, primarily religious in nature. The Westphalian system encapsulated some core tenets that reshaped European politics and later, the world. In totality, Westphalian sovereignty, though born in the 17th century, remains remarkably relevant. It offers a foundational lens through which to view state interactions, even as the world grapples with challenges that test the very core of its tenets. The rise of technology, notably the internet, has introduced complexities to the Westphalian model of sovereignty. In a digitally interconnected world, the internet often transcends national borders, making it challenging for states to maintain absolute control over information and communication within their territories.

Cyber-attacks, digital espionage, and information warfare can be executed remotely, potentially breaching the Westphalian principle of non-interference. Additionally, global digital platforms and social media can influence public opinion and even political events in countries, again posing questions about absolute state sovereignty in the face of global digital influences.

Sovereignty 2 0 Adapting The Westphalian Principle To The Technopolar

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