3.2 The state as an international actor

This follows from the assertion of state sovereignty. In its relations with the outside world with other states sovereignty means the capacity of a state to maintain its integrity by ensuring that its frontiers and its nationals are respected by other states. Indeed, a state only becomes one when it is recognised as such by other states and, today, by the United Nations Organisation. The sovereignty of a state may be impaired when another state has military installations on its territory, or by another state dominating economic investment within its borders. Very small states can scarcely feel they possess sovereignty when, like Honduras or Liberia, they have a large multinational corporation within their borders employing a large part of the national labour force.

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