What Is Sovereignty?
In: Telos, Heft 116, S. 99-118
Abstract
Explores the nature of sovereignty. A review of Jean Bodin's (1576) treatment of sovereignty emphasizes his understanding of sovereignty as totally exclusive to the state & his preference for a monarchical state. Bodin's conceptualization is contrasted with that of Thomas Hobbes. The French Revolution reaffirmed the contention that sovereignty was embodied in the monarchical state; however, the political liberals' attempt to establish ethical & juridical notions of sovereignty are deemed problematic. Johannes Althusius's (1603) conceptualization of sovereignty is contrasted with Bodin's understanding, highlighting Althusius's assertion that sovereignty emanates from the general population. In addition, the incompatibility of Bodin's notion of sovereignty with the concept of subsidiarity is discussed in terms of contemporary federalism. J. W. Parker
Themen
Federalism, Sovereignty, Monarchy, Revolutions, France, Political Philosophy, State, Hobbes, Thomas
Sprachen
Englisch
ISSN: 0040-2842, 0090-6514
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