ABSTRACT
The strongest objections to interventions of any kind are based on the idea of state sovereignty. This chapter explains what it means for a state to be sovereign. It outlines why sovereignty is considered worth respecting that is the societal benefits gained from state sovereignty. The chapter describes how the notion of sovereignty can be used to ground objections to the central argument. It argues that in relevant natural hazards sovereignty and intervention are not in conflict in a way that would make interventions impermissible in these cases. Interventions can be permissible in relevant natural hazard cases even if we recognise the value of state sovereignty. The chapter also explains the three key elements of sovereignty – authority, supremacy and territoriality – and how they are traditionally understood. Sovereignty makes self-determination possible. Sovereignty is less important than the human right to basic welfare because the benefits gained from sovereignty are not as important as food, water, shelter and basic security.
