Sociology | Mercantile Law | International Law | International Relations

Just like the recognizing a state is important so it recognition of government running that state. Recognition will only really be relevant where the change in government is unconstitutional. Recognizing a government not only clarifies that satisfaction of conditions required from it but also implies that the state recognizing it will deal with this government in order to draft the foreign relations in future.

But it must be noted that recognition of a state will affect its legal personality while recognition of government affects the status of the administrative authority, not the state. Recognition of government can be the implied recognition of state but not vice versa.

A. TOBAR DOCTRINE (No Recognition for Unconstitutional Governments)

1907 – Named after Carlos Tobar, Foreign Relations Minister of Ecuador, the doctrine states that; “recognition of government should only be granted if its administration came to power by legitimate democratic means.

B. ESTRADA DOCTRINE (Recognize Existence of Government not Legitimacy)

1930 – Named after Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Genaro Estrada, the doctrine states that; “Recognition of government should be based on its de facto existence rather than on its legitimacy.”

C. BETANCOURT DOCTRINE (No Recognition for Military Rules)

1959 – This doctrine which inter alia became the cause of isolation of Venezuela denied the; “Diplomatic recognition of any regime that came to power by military force.”

D. STIMSON DOCTRINE

1932 – Named after American Secretary of State, Stimson, this doctrine pledged, “Not to recognize international territorial changes brought about by the aggression.”