On the contrary, they have engendered unease among countries such as China, Russia and India, and these countries are exploring new configurations among themselves for some counterbalance. Smaller countries, while welcoming the protective mantle of international intervention should they come under threat, worry that their views will not carry weight in defining any international consensus, and their sovereignty may be trampled on one day. We clearly cannot reverse globalisation. A reversal is undesirable anyway as globalisation is on balance beneficial. Certainly, the issue is not so stark as to force us to choose between national sovereignty and the complete surrender of national sovereignty in an interconnected world.
Sovereignty is indeed the key principle of the current state system.
It is also clear that in practice sovereignty has never been absolute, as even the most powerful states have sometimes had to make compromises. We also voluntarily subordinate and surrender some portions of our sovereignty when we work together on transnational issues. Dealing with globalisation poses a different challenge than just insisting on the legal concept of sovereignty or persuading governments to work together on specific issues. It forces a reconceptualisation of the idea of government and statehood. 13 Nation states will not go away.