1. CHAPTER 8CHAPTER 8
SOVEREIGNTY

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.

5. Characteristics of sovereigntyCharacteristics of sovereignty

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11. Types of sovereigntyTypes of sovereignty

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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5. Nominal and real sovereignty
Nominal sovereignty – existing in name only
Real sovereignty -