Sovereignty (Ints 201)

Introduction 

Sovereignty is a fundamental concept in political science and international law. It refers to the supreme authority of the state over its territory and population, free from external control.

The term sovereignty is derived from the Latin word “Superanus”,  meaning “supreme.” It denotes the highest and final authority within a state.

Sovereignty can therefore be defined as the power of the state to make laws, enforce those laws, and employ coercive force where necessary.

The modern concept of sovereignty is most closely associated with the French political thinker Jean Bodin (1530–1596), who emphasized the idea of absolute and perpetual power of the state.

Means of Acquiring Sovereignty

Statue of Liberty

1. Gaining independence from a colonial power

   Most African and Third World countries were colonized by European powers such as Britain, France, Spain, and Portugal. Through nationalist movements, negotiations, and gradual constitutional reforms, many of these territories attained independence and became internationally recognized sovereign states.

2. Independence through a successful revolution or liberation war

   When colonial powers refuse to grant independence peacefully, liberation struggles often ensue. For example, the American colonies gained independence from Britain in 1776 after a revolutionary war. In Africa, countries such as Algeria, Angola, Namibia, and Zimbabwe achieved sovereignty through prolonged and often violent liberation wars.

3. Independence through a successful war of secession

   A region within an existing state may seek independence on the basis of self-determination. This usually results in civil war if the parent state resists. If the secessionist movement succeeds and gains international recognition, it becomes a sovereign state.

• Bangladesh, formerly East Pakistan, became independent in 1971 after a secession war supported by India.
• Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993 following a long civil war and a UN-supervised referendum.

4. Recognition of an uncolonized or self-defending territory

   This method is largely obsolete in the modern international system. It applies to territories that successfully resisted colonization and later gained international recognition.

Ethiopia is often cited as an example because it largely maintained its sovereignty during the colonial era, despite a brief Italian occupation (1936–1941). The failure of the League of Nations to effectively respond to Italy’s invasion exposed the weakness of collective security at the time.

Characteristics of Sovereignty

1. Absoluteness

   Sovereignty is supreme within a state. The sovereign authority has the final say in law-making and enforcement, including the legitimate use of force.

2. Performance 

   Sovereignty belongs to the state, not to any particular government. Governments may change, but sovereignty endures as long as the state exists.

3. Universality

   Sovereign authority extends over all persons, groups, institutions, and territory within the state without exception.

4. Indivisibility

   Sovereignty cannot be divided among multiple supreme authorities. For authority to be supreme, it must be unified and vested in an identifiable source.

5. Inalienability

   Sovereignty cannot be transferred or surrendered permanently. A state that loses its sovereignty ceases to exist as a state.

Conclusion

Sovereignty remains a defining feature of the modern state. Although globalization and international organizations have imposed practical limitations on state power, sovereignty continues to symbolize legal independence, supreme authority, and statehood. Without sovereignty, a political entity cannot be regarded as a true state in the international system.