2. SCOPE OF DISCUSSIONSCOPE OF DISCUSSION
DEFINITION
CHARACTERISTICS OF SOVEREIGNTY
TYPES OF SOVEREIGNTY
3. IntroductionIntroduction
The word ‘sovereignty’ comes from the
Latin word-’superanus’ meaning supreme.
Sovereignty represents unity of the state
whereby the state is externally free and
internally supreme.
4. DefinitionDefinition
Bodin – sovereignty means supreme
power over citizens and subjects,
unrestrained by law.
Laski – the sovereign is legally supreme
over any individual or group, he
possesses supreme coercive power.
Jenks –an authority which, in the last
resort controls absolutely and beyond
appeal the actions of every individual
member of the community.
12. Cont..Cont..
1. Popular sovereignty
It refers to the power of the people or
masses.
Rousseau (the state and the people were
one).
The people’s power is important to
balance the power of the ruler.
13. Cont..Cont..
2. Political sovereignty
The supreme power is in politics. Political
power exists when the people exercised
their right to vote.
eg. Political sovereignty is the electoral
plus all other methods and influence that
shape public opinion.
14. Cont..Cont..
3. Legal sovereignty
This is sovereignty in terms of law –
refers to that person or body of persons,
who according to the law, have the
power to give final commands,
Any disobedience to the law is followed
or result in punishment.
15. Cont..Cont..
4. De jure and de facto
De jure sovereignty
legal right to do so
It is legal with foundation in law.
De facto sovereignty
the ability in fact to do so.
It may or may not be a legal sovereign.
