Richard Hartzell asks when the Republic of China (ROC) in Taiwan first became a sovereign nation (Letters, Nov. 8, page 8). I write to answer his question. Hartzell notes that, at one time, Taiwan's sovereignty was held by Japan. How did that happen? Well, the Empire of China gave Taiwan and its people to the Emperor of Japan. And who gave the Emperor of China the right to do so?
It was done under the "traditional model of sovereignty in which the king or ruler had the right to power" through his or her descent from a dynasty blessed by God.
It has been said that "In these systems of power based on the blessing of God, state authority was not vested in the people, but sanctified for reasons of background, tradition or religious beliefs, carried by mythical powers and structured in such a way as to deny access for citizens."
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/edit/archives/2004/11/14/2003211024
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