Sovereignty

Definition

Sovereignty refers to the supreme authority and power of a state or political entity to govern itself and make decisions independently, without external interference or control. It is a fundamental concept in the field of government and international relations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sovereignty is a key element in the definition of a state, as it grants a government the exclusive right to exercise power and control within its territorial boundaries.
2. The Articles of Confederation, the first governing document of the United States, granted significant sovereignty to individual states, leading to weaknesses in the federal government.
3. Federalism, as outlined in the U.S. Constitution, involves the division of sovereignty between the federal government and state governments, with each level possessing distinct powers and responsibilities.
4. In the realm of foreign policy, the concept of sovereignty is central, as it underpins the principles of non-interference and the inviolability of a state's territorial integrity.
5. The balance between national sovereignty and the increasing interconnectedness of the global community is an ongoing challenge in the formulation and implementation of foreign policy.

Review Questions

• Explain how the concept of sovereignty is reflected in the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution.
  • The Articles of Confederation granted a high degree of sovereignty to the individual states, which led to a weak federal government and challenges in coordinating national policies. The U.S. Constitution, in contrast, established a system of federalism that divided sovereignty between the federal government and the states, with the federal government possessing certain exclusive powers and the states retaining autonomy in other areas. This balance of sovereignty between the national and state governments is a key feature of the American political system.
• Analyze the role of sovereignty in the formulation and implementation of foreign policy.
  • Sovereignty is a fundamental principle in the realm of foreign policy, as it grants a state the exclusive right to make decisions and take actions within its own territory without external interference. The concept of sovereignty underpins the principles of non-interference and the inviolability of a state's territorial integrity, which are essential in shaping a country's foreign policy objectives and strategies. At the same time, the increasing interconnectedness of the global community has led to tensions between national sovereignty and the need for international cooperation on issues that transcend borders, such as climate change, global health, and economic integration. Navigating this balance is a key challenge for policymakers in the formulation and implementation of foreign policy.
• Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the division of sovereignty between the federal government and the states in the context of American federalism.
  • The division of sovereignty between the federal government and the states in the American system of federalism has both advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, this arrangement allows for a diffusion of power and provides states with the autonomy to address local issues and experiment with different policy approaches. This can foster innovation and better responsiveness to the needs of diverse communities. On the other hand, the division of sovereignty can also lead to coordination challenges, inconsistencies in policies across states, and potential conflicts between the federal and state governments. Ultimately, the balance of sovereignty is a delicate one that requires careful negotiation and compromise to ensure the effective governance of the nation as a whole while preserving the unique identities and priorities of individual states.

Related terms

Autonomy: The right or condition of self-government, where a political or social entity exercises independent authority and decision-making power.

Nationalism: The belief in and promotion of the interests of one's nation, often leading to the desire for political independence and self-governance.

Westphalian System: The international system that emerged after the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, which established the principle of sovereign, independent nation-states as the primary political units in the global order.