| Summary: | Ever since the peace treaty of Westphalia was signed in 1648 sovereignty has gradually gained a status as the defining principle of the international state system. Since that time the sovereign state system has gone through various transformations which have altered the conceptual understanding of sovereignty and the nation state. This dissertation addresses the current transformation of sovereignty in the post-WWII period and puts it into historical context by employing the theoretical framework of international relations. The concept globalization is used to analyze this transformation which is caused i.g. by escalating influence of international governmental organizations, supranational institutions, and the progress of technology. Special attention is given to the transformation of Icelandic sovereignty and the effect that globalization is having in driving Iceland towards closer cooperation with the European Union. The main conclusions are that the sovereign state system, and the nation state, are currently going through various transformations that are effecting different dimensions of sovereignty, and the nation state, with distinct results. Sovereignty is no longer a permanent status of the nation state but a conditional one and sovereignty is now defined as a responsibility rather then as a control.
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