Primary and Secondary Institutions in Regional International Society: Sovereignty and the League of Arab States

Abstract

This chapter argues that the Arab League played an important role in the emergence, consolidation, and change of the principles and practices of Westphalian sovereignty in the Arab interstate society from its foundation in 1945 to the Arab Spring. The first part discusses the impact of the design of the Arab League and its Charter on the emergence of Westphalian sovereignty in the region. The second part discusses how the practices of the Arab League led to the consolidation of Westphalian sovereignty and the decline of Arab nationalism after 1967. The third part examines the Arab League policies during the Arab Spring and their impact on the principles and practices of Westphalian sovereignty in the Arab interstate society.