ABSTRACT
The purpose of this chapter is to identify important points of difference and similarity in the regional States systems with a view to discerning some intimations of the overall dynamics and directions of our contemporary global society of States. Are the changes which are so evident in the contemporary world, particularly economic changes but also demographic, technological, ideological, and similar changes, fostering new varieties of international and transnational organization which undermine the foundations of sovereign statehood? Is the independent State becoming obsolete at least in some respects? Or is the existing States system based on the principle of sovereignty likely to adapt without fundamental alteration to all such changes? In short, what are the prospects for sovereign statehood?
