Academic

Cox on Sovereignty & the Knights of Malta

By Lawrence Solum

Noel Cox (Auckland University of Technology - Faculty of Business) has posted The Continuing Question of Sovereignty and the Sovereign Military Order of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta on SSRN.  Here is the abstract:

The Sovereign Military Order of Malta is the only organisation currently recognised, albeit by a minority of States, as quasi-sovereign. The article begins with a brief look at the concepts of sovereignty and statehood as traditionally understood. The case of the Order of Malta is then examined in its historical context, and the basis for its claimed sovereignty assessed. Recent reconsideration of the concept of State sovereignty, and challenges to the State, are then considered. The lessons from the example of the Order of Malta for the relationship of territory and statehood are evaluated.

Fascinating!

Full post as published by Legal Theory Blog on June 09, 2008 (boomark / email).