تحدي العولمة وسيادة الدول في العصر الحديث

Regarding George Soros’ statement saying “Globalization has made the world more interconnected, but international politics still stand on state sovereignty,” we find that this quote accurately summarizes the challenge facing the world in the modern age.

Globalization, the phenomenon that has intensified in recent decades due to technological advancement and economic expansion, has led to unprecedented closeness among nations and peoples. The world has indeed become a “global village” where information, money, and ideas rapidly traverse borders.

Despite this global interconnectedness, international politics still resonate with state sovereignty. Sovereignty here means that each state retains its supremacy and right to manage its internal and external affairs without external interference. This balance between global interconnectedness and national sovereignty creates a kind of contradiction, and perhaps tension, in modern international relations.

On one hand, globalization requires greater international cooperation on issues affecting all humans, such as the environment, food security, climate change, and even pandemics. It also requires coordinated global financial and trade systems. All of this necessitates a reduction in the traditional concept of sovereignty in favor of international cooperation.

On the other hand, states remain attached to their national sovereignty as a fundamental principle based on history, culture, and national interests. This adherence to sovereignty can hinder international efforts and lead to disparities in international and regional policies.

We have seen a vivid example of this delicate balance in managing the COVID-19 pandemic, where the crisis has shown how global crises can expose the need for international cooperation by countries, while at the same time revealing the limitations of this cooperation in the face of national policies.

In conclusion, George Soros’ statement highlights the reality that despite its rapid changes and high interconnectedness, the world still maintains old traditional international structures. Recognizing this challenge is a first step towards building more comprehensive and effective policies to address contemporary issues.