Examkin

Question

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

Although Jean Bodin originally conceptualized sovereignty as absolute and supreme power unrestricted by law, in modern political practice, a state's legal sovereignty is bounded internally by constitutional supremacy and externally by international law and treaty obligations.

Answer: Answer

Answer

The statement is TRUE. Modern legal sovereignty is restricted internally by constitutional provisions and externally by international law and treaties.
The statement is true because modern statehood reconciles the concept of supreme power with constitutional limitations internally and international law obligations externally.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze classical theoretical definitions versus contemporary political applications of sovereignty.
Classical theory (e.g., Jean Bodin) defined sovereignty as supreme, perpetual, and absolute power, but contemporary political practice subjects state power to legal and operational bounds.
Distinguishing pure theory from modern constitutionalism is necessary to evaluate the extent of sovereign power.
2
Identify internal limitations on state legal sovereignty.
Constitutional provisions, judicial review, division of powers in federal structures, and fundamental human rights limit legislative authority.
Internal checks ensure that government organs cannot exercise arbitrary or unconstitutional supreme power.
3
Identify external limitations on state legal sovereignty.
International law, international treaties, economic interdependence, and obligations to supranational organizations limit external autonomy.
Signing international agreements requires states to yield portions of their legal freedom of action.

Key Concept

Internal and External Limitations on Sovereignty
Rate this question

Topics

Sovereignty: Concept, Types, Characteristics, and Limitations

More questions from this topic