Question

Difficulty: MediumSovereignty: Concept, Types, Characteristics, and Limitations

Match each type of sovereignty listed on the left with its corresponding definition or legal characteristic on the right.

  • Legal SovereigntyThe ultimate constitutional authority to make, amend, and enforce law
  • Political SovereigntyThe supreme power vested in the electorate whose will legal sovereigns must ultimately obey
  • De Facto SovereigntySupreme power exercised through physical force or successful practical control without formal legal backing
  • External SovereigntyThe supreme power of a state to manage its domestic and international affairs free from foreign control

Answer

Legal Sovereignty matches the ultimate constitutional authority to make, amend, and enforce law; Political Sovereignty matches the supreme power vested in the electorate; De Facto Sovereignty matches supreme power exercised through physical force without legal backing; External Sovereignty matches the power of a state to manage its affairs free from foreign control.
Each sovereign classification matches its precise political science definition: legal sovereignty pertains to formal law-making bodies, political sovereignty rests with the voting populace, de facto sovereignty reflects actual control, and external sovereignty designates international independence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Distinguish between legal authority and practical authority
Identified Legal Sovereignty as legal law-making authority and De Facto Sovereignty as power established by force or effective control.
Constitutional law establishes legal sovereignty, whereas real-world dominance establishes de facto sovereignty.
2
Examine popular and international dimensions of sovereignty
Identified Political Sovereignty as electorate power and External Sovereignty as state independence from foreign control.
Citizens hold political sovereignty through franchise, while non-interference by foreign powers defines external sovereignty.

Key Concept

Types and Characteristics of Sovereignty
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