Few concepts in international relations have aroused as muchdebate and emotion among political leaders, activists, andscholars as that of sovereignty. Diplomats continually invokeit, transnational organizations attempt to circumvent it, andscholars debate its meaning and wonder whether globaliza-tion is making it obsolete. Yet, most accept the premise thatsovereignty is not only the foundation of our internationalsystem but also one of the few consequential institutions wehave in world politics.