International law is traditionally grounded in the principle of equal sovereignty for all states, embodying the idea that every nation has an equal standing on the global stage. However, recent critiques suggest that the rules-based international order may be leaning towards hegemony through the lens of sovereign inequality.
At the heart of this debate is the role of the United States as a hegemonic power. The US is seen as having the privilege to oscillate between human-centric and state-centric security approaches. Allies of the US, such as Ukraine, Georgia, and Spain, are upheld with an emphasis on territorial integrity, reflecting the state's sovereignty. Conversely, in countries perceived as adversarial, including Serbia, China, Russia, and Syria, the US appears to support the principle of self-determination, allowing for secessionist movements.
This selective application of international principles highlights what some describe as a double standard. The US's ability to interfere in the domestic affairs of sovereign states under the guise of promoting liberal democratic values stands in contrast to the restrictions placed upon its adversaries. These disparities raise questions about the authenticity of the current international order and whether true equal sovereignty for all states can coexist with hegemonic dominance.
Reference(s):
How US replaced international law with its own twisted creation
cgtn.com
