Technology, Sovereignty and International Law

PrefaceAbbreviations1. Sovereignty and Global Governance2. The Law of the Sea3. International Maritime Law and the International Maritime Organisation4. The Law of the Air and the International Civil Aviation Organisation5. International Telecommunications and the International Telecommunication Union6. International Postal Services and the Universal Postal Union7. International Space Law8. Standards and Mensuration9. Concluding ObservationsIndex

The dogma of the sovereignty of the state, deriving from the Peace of Westphalia, underpins much of the modern-day international system. However, developments in recent technology have led this ideology to depart from reality. Viewing state sovereignty through the prism of public international law, the book will begin with an overview of the settlement of Westphalia, how it has influenced international documents ever since, and how the advantages of centralised decisions came to be perceived. By surveying the Law of the Sea, Maritime Law, Air and Aviation, Telecommunications, Postal Services, Space Law and Mensuration, the book demonstrates how, in each, the interplay between state sovereignty and developing technologies have caused significant legal change. Some changes, Lyall argues, such as international measures of time and geography, have been born out of convenience, facilitated by technology developed for the purpose. Other areas of change developed out of a desire to reconcile conflicts or harmonise necessary state regulation. The book analyses the reasons behind these changes, and discusses the ongoing attempts to balance state equality, measures adopted by new institutions to secure comprehensive representation, and ends by looking to the future of state sovereignty in an increasingly globalised world. The book is of use to any student or scholar interested in policy making, international law and international affairs, both legal and scientific, as well as those looking at legal administrative issues and government officiation.

Sovereignty and global governance -- The Law of the Sea -- International Maritime Law and the international maritime organisation -- The Law of the Air and the international civil aviation organisation -- International telecommunications and the International Telecommunication Union -- International Postal Services and the Universal Postal Union -- International Space Law -- Standards and mensuration -- Concluding observations.