ABSTRACT
This chapter presents what elements of the traditional sovereignty concepts may remain important in global circumstances and how these "real policy values" need to be recognized and separated from the outmoded baggage of older Westphalian sovereignty concepts. It focuses on the "policy values" of allocating power to the decision-making mechanism that operates with authority and legitimacy. The chapter discusses policy detail of the "allocation" issues, in the modern and global context, with reference to policies that might suggest the need for a higher-or lower-level allocation of power. It explains predominantly economic subject areas and follows the examples with some general summary comments about the potential for more extensive elaboration in other contexts and fora. National government leaders and politicians, as well as special interest representatives, too often invoke the term "sovereignty" to forestall needed debate. A multitude of treaties and customary international law norms impose international legal constraints that circumscribe extreme forms of arbitrary actions even against sovereign's own citizens.
