The evolution of the constitution of sovereignty and the emergence of human rights norms

Theories of international relations tend to look at norms of human rights as incompatible with norms of sovereignty. The emergence of norms of human rights in international relations can be seen, instead, as neither a constraint on nor a signal of the decline of sovereignty, but rather an evolution in the way sovereignty is understood by and legitimised in the international community. Norms of sovereign legitimation are social constructions, changes in which affect both the discourse and the conduct of international relations. This article traces a number of major changes in these norms since the Peace of Westphalia. The most recent change, marking the end of the Cold War, has made respect for human rights a condition of legitimate sovereignty, and thus, of full participation in the community of states.