Classical Theories of Sovereignty in the Light of Law

Abstract

What exactly does the concept of sovereignty cover? Who is the subject of the supreme power? How have views of supreme power changed throughout history? The above questions have been of interest to social scientists for centuries, and as a result, a number of academic theories have been published on the subject. However, in order to shed light on the cause of the contradictions inherent in these theories, it is necessary to look more closely at the central issues at stake. With this in mind, I will discuss the controversial nature of the concept of sovereignty and how its content has changed over the centuries as the state and the law have evolved. The paper will thus highlight the factors that led from the concept of sovereignty without limits to the constitutional basis of state power, and scrutinizes the legal characteristics of the aforementioned analyses of sovereignty.