An Introduction to an Unexpected Conclusion

When we think about political sovereignty, images of large European states with their powerful institutions, deep history and influence on the world stage immediately arise in our imagination. Germany is synonymous with economic power, technological development and political weight in the modern world.

But what happens if we look at sovereignty from a completely different angle? What if the true independence of a state is not measured by the size of GDP or the size of the army? Research in the field of political geography and international relations reveals an amazing truth: the political sovereignty of the Seychelles may be higher than the sovereignty of Germany.

This paradoxical idea almost sounds like a joke, but behind it is a deep analysis of what we really mean by the independence of the state.

Rethinking the Concept of Sovereignty

What criterion should be used when assessing the true independence of a nation? Is it the ability to make decisions without external pressure? The ability to control your own resources? Freedom to determine foreign policy? Or maybe it’s something completely different: the ability of a nation to protect its national interests in the context of global interdependence?

The traditional approach to defining sovereignty dates back to the Westphalian system, which shaped the modern international order. However, in the 21st century, the world has changed beyond recognition.

Globalization, multilevel governance, international organizations, and cross-border capital flows have created a complex web of dependencies that defines the boundaries of national independence in a new way.

Imagine a state that has complete autonomy in resolving its internal issues, does not participate in complex international alliances, and is not bound by numerous interstate obligations.

Contrast this with a powerful country that, despite its weight in world politics, is constantly forced to coordinate its actions with other members of international organizations, comply with multilateral agreements and take into account the interests of its partners.

The Mystery of Small Nations and Their True Power

Seychelles is a country that is often overlooked in global politics. With a population of less than 100,000 people and an area that seems microscopic on the world map, the archipelago rarely makes international news. But it is precisely in this invisibility that the key to understanding what true independence is may lie.

Small States are often endowed with amazing flexibility and freedom of action. When a country is not a key player in regional conflicts, when its economic might does not pose a threat to its neighbors, when it does not bear the burden of global responsibility, a paradoxical situation arises.

Such a State can take political decisions based solely on its own interests, without having to take into account the complex web of diplomatic and economic obligations.

Germany, despite its economic potential and political influence, is a part of the European Union and a participant in many international organizations and agreements. Its political decisions are constantly aligned with the interests of other States.

The number of international obligations that constrain the actions of the German leadership is in the hundreds.

The Metamorphosis of Power in the Contemporary World

The question we are interested in becomes even more acute if we consider how the definition of political power has changed in the era of the information society. Traditionally, power has been measured by military might, economic resources, and territorial control. But in the 21st century, new dimensions of power have emerged: digital influence, soft power, cultural influence, and technological leadership.

In this scenario, a curious assumption arises: can a state that is on the periphery of international politics, in some sense, be more independent than a power that is at the very center of global processes? Can freedom from constant international surveillance and pressure be more valuable than political power itself? This dilemma reflects the fundamental contradiction of the modern world order.

On the one hand, large states have the resources to realize their interests. On the other hand, they are bound by so many obligations and integration processes that their real freedom of action may be significantly limited.

Issues That Require Rethinking

If we agree that sovereignty can be interpreted differently from what we are used to, we will face new and exciting questions: Is participation in international organizations a sign of strength or a limitation of independence?

How should we interpret membership in supranational structures? Is this an opportunity to influence global processes or, conversely, an agreement to limit one's own sovereignty? What is the true price of economic development and political influence?

Can great powers have more power but less freedom?

Final Reflection

The idea that the political sovereignty of the Seychelles may be higher than that of Germany is not a statement that small islands are more powerful or important in world politics. This is a challenge to our usual way of thinking about what it means to be an independent state in the modern world.

Perhaps true sovereignty is not the number of votes in the UN or the size of the army, but the ability of a state to freely determine its path without being bound by countless international obligations. Perhaps independence is measured not by economic power, but by political autonomy.

But is this really the case? Or are we now facing a fundamental revision of how we understand state independence in the 21st century?

You will find the answers to these questions in our full analytical study, where we will take a detailed look at the multidimensional nature of sovereignty.