Year : 2019, Volume : 23, Issue : 4
First page : ( 10) Last page : ( 25)
Print ISSN : 0971-8052. Online ISSN : 0974-0937. Published online : 2019  01.

The decline of the territorial integrity norm (1947-2018)

Kalpakian Jack

Abstract

The rule concerning territorial integrity and its associated norms of the inviolability of borders, non-interference and non-revanchism has been a cornerstone of the post-World War Two international order. In recent times however, countries have repeatedly invoked this rule to argue against intervention by others, especially rivals, in places like Kosovo, the Ukraine, Iraq and Syria. This paper looks at an exhaustive list of permanent and temporary non-consensual changes of borders between 1945 and the present. It uses logic derived from the Paquete Habana case to argue that the territorial integrity norm, as a rule, has lost its power due to its inconsistent and selfserving application. It concludes with reflections concerning the collapse of this rule for international security.

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