Succession of states theory

The succession of states theory states that all posessions and territory held by a state are automatically transferred to the state which succeeds it.

For example, if the government of the United States was overthrown tomorrow, and replaced by a newly formed Kingdom of Ongo Bongo, all of the previously controlled territory, weapons, and wealth of the former U.S. government would fall under the control of the government of the new Kingdom. In other words, the new state of Ongo Bongo would (at least initially) assume all the powers of the state it just demolished.

This logic has been frequently used in the past by revolutionary governments such as Cuba and the former Soviet Union.

The theory has its root in 19th century diplomacy. Some critics argue the succession theory is weak for it allows few boundaries between eras allowing archaic claims to subvert popular will.

In general the theory is followed in the world community: a new government might be distasteful to others but pragmatically it must be recognized if it de facto controls the territory. There are several fairly recent examples where succession has not been smoothly adhered to:

• When the Democratic Kampuchea regime of Pol Pot was militarily displaced by the Vietnamese-backed People's Republic of Cambodia, the United Nations seat continued to be held by Democratic Kampuchea for many years.

• When the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia disintegrated by four secessions, the remaining two member states Serbia and Montenegro named themselves Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and expected to inherit perquisites such as Yugoslavia's United Nations seat or Yugoslavia's assets abroad, but were in fact not allowed to by the world community.