Sovereignty

Definition

Sovereignty is the supreme authority within a territory. It is the ultimate source of political power and decision-making that determines the legal and political independence of a state or community. Sovereignty is a central concept in understanding the historical development of government and the legitimacy of political systems.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sovereignty is a foundational concept in political theory, tracing back to the work of political philosophers like Jean Bodin and Thomas Hobbes.
2. The modern notion of state sovereignty emerged in the 17th century with the Peace of Westphalia, which established the principle of territorial integrity and non-interference in the domestic affairs of other states.
3. Sovereignty is closely linked to the idea of political legitimacy, as a sovereign state derives its authority from the consent of the governed or its ability to effectively govern a population.
4. The tension between national sovereignty and the growth of international organizations and global governance has been a major point of debate in contemporary political discourse.
5. Challenges to state sovereignty include the rise of non-state actors, the increasing interconnectedness of the global economy, and the emergence of transnational issues like climate change and human rights.

Review Questions

• Explain how the concept of sovereignty has evolved from historical perspectives on government.
  • The notion of sovereignty has undergone significant transformation throughout history. In early political thought, sovereignty was often conceived as absolute and unitary, with the sovereign ruler or state possessing supreme and unchecked power. However, the development of ideas like popular sovereignty and national sovereignty have challenged this traditional view, emphasizing the role of the people and the nation-state in the legitimate exercise of political authority. These shifts reflect the evolving understanding of the source and limits of governmental power, which is crucial for examining the historical perspectives on the nature of government.
• Analyze how the concept of sovereignty relates to the idea of political legitimacy and the duty of citizens.
  • Sovereignty and political legitimacy are closely intertwined, as a sovereign state derives its authority from the consent and support of the governed. The principle of popular sovereignty, for example, holds that the ultimate source of political power resides with the people, who delegate this authority to the government through a social contract. This notion of legitimacy based on the will of the people is a key factor in establishing the duty of citizens to obey the laws and directives of the sovereign power. At the same time, the legitimacy of a sovereign state may also be challenged if it fails to effectively govern or protect the rights and interests of its citizens, leading to questions about the nature and limits of the social contract and the obligations of both the ruler and the ruled.
• Evaluate how the evolving concept of sovereignty has shaped the development of international relations and global governance.
  • The traditional notion of absolute state sovereignty has been increasingly challenged by the growth of international organizations, treaties, and norms that transcend national borders. The emergence of global issues like climate change, human rights, and economic interdependence has necessitated greater cooperation and coordination among states, leading to the development of supranational institutions and the erosion of the strict principle of non-interference in domestic affairs. This tension between national sovereignty and the demands of global governance has been a central debate in contemporary international relations, as states seek to balance their desire for autonomy with the need to address transnational problems. The evolving understanding of sovereignty has thus played a crucial role in shaping the evolution of the international system and the shifting dynamics of power and authority at the global level.

Related terms

Absolute Sovereignty: The idea that a sovereign state has complete and unrestricted power over its territory and citizens, with no external limitations on its authority.

Popular Sovereignty: The principle that the ultimate source of political power resides with the people, who delegate authority to the government through a social contract.

National Sovereignty: The exclusive right of a nation-state to exercise supreme political authority within its territorial borders, free from external interference.