Islamic State and the Demise of Westphalia: A new look at Sovereignty in the Middle East

Abstract

This research attempts to clarify the present situation in the Middle East, particularly in terms of the challenges to the supremacy of sovereignty. The concept of sovereignty, stemming from Western civilization following the signing of the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, has over the last several centuries faced many challenges due to various competing interests. This effect is felt in the Middle East more so than anywhere else. The ideas of earthly sovereignty and statehood are, in themselves, alien concepts in the Arab-Islamic world, where God/Allah is considered to be the embodiment of universal sovereignty. In Western thought, sovereignty is vested with a person or a group of people, for which the existence of a state is mandatory. This concept of sovereignty is not validated in an Islamic society. There is general agreement in both Western and Islamic thinking that sovereignty is universal, absolute, indivisible and inalienable; though therein lies the only similarity between the two schools of thought. With the advent of the Islamic State (ISIS) and the proclamation of a new Caliphate, the authority of sovereignty is being confronted like never before. Therefore, this paper would use primary and secondary information to argue the existence of a concept of sovereignty and consider its future implications in a region dominated by contrasting and competing philosophies..