The concept of sovereignty, long a cornerstone of international relations, is increasingly being weaponized by political leaders to justify actions that undermine democratic norms and international law. A recent analysis highlights how autocratic regimes and populist movements use the language of sovereignty to reject external criticism, suppress dissent, and pursue aggressive foreign policies.
For instance, in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war, Russian officials have repeatedly invoked sovereignty to defend their invasion, claiming it is necessary to protect Russian-speaking populations. Similarly, in Hungary and Poland, leaders have used sovereignty arguments to resist EU judicial and media reforms, framing them as attacks on national identity.
The article argues that this trend represents a form of 'forgery' of sovereignty, where the term is stripped of its original meaning—rooted in popular consent and rule of law—and repurposed for authoritarian ends. Experts note that this manipulation poses a serious threat to global governance and human rights.
As of May 2026, no major international body has formally addressed this issue, but scholars are calling for a renewed commitment to the principles of democratic sovereignty, where power derives from the people and is exercised within legal frameworks.
