Il sovranismo nelle relazioni internazionali

This article investigates the contemporary re-emergence of political claims founded on the recognition of sovereignty (sovereigntism). After discussing sovereignty as a paradox or an organized hypocrisy, it focuses on two kind of sovereigntism: as a principle of domination and as a principle of emancipation. The first one is a claim of sovereignty that emerges in the regular struggle for political recognition between stronger and weaker powers. The second one is a claim of sovereignty that emerges in contrast to a perceived ex-ternal or illegitimate authority. In the first case, sovereigntism occurs when there are rising powers seeking recognition as great powers or dominant great powers seeking hegemony. In the second case, sovereigntism concerns the dynamics of globalization and supranational institutions and often regards the empowering the people. As the Brexit case shows, it is not always easy to distinguish between the two types of sovereigntism in practice.