'Shadows And Sovereigns' By Carolyn Nordstrom

In the script “Shadows and Sovereigns” author Carolyn Nordstrom is exploring the notion of state as the ultimate authority of security, power and social control and how this status is crucial for its economy’s progress, locally and internationally. While scrutinizing the state’s power, “The Sovereign”, she embarks upon the discovery of another hidden non-state power which is equally strong, but illegal/illegitimate, operate through gigantic trade networks, are transnationally spread, have profound command on masses, and yet are invisible to the formal channels. She labelled these hidden networks as “Shadows”.
A very staggering example of such shadow networks could be the “Black Money” of India, where nation’s wealth is stashed in foreign banks
These are the power grids which shape the fundamental economic political dynamic of the world today. They are relatively more powerful than the formal institutions. There amassed abundant economic fortunes can be translated into a new political power, can reshape social, economic and political landscapes. Today, if Indian government authorities would consider revelation of the actual amassed fortune in the black market, utilizing the same for nation’s development, it is argued by academics that India can easily challenge other developed countries. But, real facts are kept hidden and ignored as it involves hordes of influential investors on whose assent Indian economy can flourish or
Seeing such complex dynamics, author is forced to contemplate upon the actual authority of power, is it these shadows or the sovereign. She questions the centrality of so called sovereign as the ultimate authority/power, as the main provider of security and social control. Ironically, these shadow powers are turning out to be more trustworthy and reliable than the actual so called “sovereign”, and if designated these shadows can socially have a declared status parallel to the “legal