ABSTRACT
This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the concepts discussed in the preceding chapters of this book. The central thesis of the book is that a government which fails to respect the fundamental rights of a minority is no longer legally legitimate. It is accordingly open to a minority to challenge the validity of its title to the sovereign power. There are many developments in the relations and practices of states that suggest the international order is changing. Many political scientists take the position that the traditional concept of sovereignty fails to capture the development of capitalism and international systems of production. The legal systems of the world are converging in a manner that has led to greater integration of the domestic and international law. The Westphalian concept of state sovereignty has begun to unravel and the international community has recognized that it has an obligation to protect the rights and interests of individuals living in hostile and oppressive states.
