Sovereignty || Meaning, Definitions and Characteristics of Sovereignty || Deepika

Summary

This video lecture by Deepika explores the concept of sovereignty in political science, emphasizing its exam relevance and historical emergence. It explains sovereignty as the supreme and absolute power of the state, independent of any internal or external authority, with both internal (within borders) and external (free from foreign control) dimensions. The lecture covers its historical context, from religious authority dominance to the secular, sovereign state system in the 16th century, and highlights key definitions by scholars like J. Garner. Key characteristics, such as absoluteness, permanence, indivisibility, exclusiveness, and inalienability, are discussed for clear understanding and effective answer writing.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sovereignty is the supreme authority of the state, which cannot be challenged by any other institution, including religious or social bodies.
• 😀 The term 'sovereignty' comes from the Latin word 'supremus,' meaning supreme or paramount.
• 😀 Sovereignty has two main dimensions: internal (within state borders) and external (independence from foreign control).
• 😀 Historically, the 16th century marked a transition where secular political authority replaced religious authority in Europe, influenced by the scientific revolution and religious reforms.
• 😀 In India, ancient texts like Kautilya’s Arthashastra and Manusmriti show instances where religious authority influenced governance.
• 😀 J. Garner defines sovereignty as the power that cannot be limited by any other authority.
• 😀 Characteristics of sovereignty include absoluteness, permanence, indivisibility, universality, inalienability, and exclusiveness.
• 😀 Internal sovereignty ensures that all institutions within the state obey the state, while external sovereignty guarantees freedom from foreign interference.
• 😀 Sovereignty is essential for maintaining law, governance, administration, and social order within the state.
• 😀 Understanding sovereignty is crucial for exam preparation, and students should be able to explain its definitions, dimensions, historical evolution, and characteristics clearly in answers.

Q & A

What is the concept of sovereignty in political science?

Sovereignty refers to the supreme and absolute authority of the state to make laws, govern, and regulate society without being challenged by any other institution.

How did the term 'sovereignty' become popular in political science?

The term became popular in the 16th century, during a period of transition influenced by the Scientific Revolution, colonization, and religious conflicts in Europe, where scholars began emphasizing secular political authority over religious control.

What is the origin of the word 'sovereignty'?

It is derived from the Latin word 'supremus', which means 'supreme' or 'paramount'.

What is meant by the internal dimension of sovereignty?

The internal dimension refers to the state's absolute authority within its borders, where no internal institution such as administrative, social, or religious bodies can control or challenge it.

What is meant by the external dimension of sovereignty?

The external dimension means that the state is free from control by foreign governments or external forces, maintaining independence in international relations.

What are the main characteristics of sovereignty?

The key characteristics include absoluteness (final authority), permanence (authority persists despite government changes), indivisibility (cannot be shared), universality (present in all states at all times), and inalienability (cannot be separated from the state).

Why is sovereignty considered indivisible?

Sovereignty is indivisible because the supreme power of the state cannot be shared with any other institution, such as religious or social organizations.

How did sovereignty evolve historically in India and Europe?

Historically, religious authorities had control over state governance. In India, texts like Manusmriti and Kautilya’s Arthashastra reflect this. In Europe, the Church held both spiritual and political power. The 16th century marked a shift to secular sovereignty, where the state became independent of religious control.

What is the importance of understanding sovereignty for exams in political science?

Understanding sovereignty is crucial for exams because it explains the foundation of state authority, its internal and external dimensions, key features, and historical evolution, all of which are frequently asked in questions.

Provide a standard definition of sovereignty suitable for answer writing.

According to J. Garner, sovereignty is 'the power which cannot be limited; it cannot be controlled by subjects or other institutions,' meaning the state has absolute authority within its domain and is free from external interference.

How does sovereignty relate to the modern Indian government?

The Indian government exercises internal sovereignty within its borders and external sovereignty in international relations, meaning it is not controlled by any foreign government and holds supreme authority over all internal institutions.