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

During a debate on constitutional powers, legal scholars note that supreme legislative authority to enact laws resides in Parliament, whereas political analysts contend that Parliament must ultimately defer to the decisions of voting citizens. Which type of sovereignty is exercised specifically by the electorate whose political will controls the government?

  1. Political sovereigntyAnswer
  2. B
    Legal sovereignty
  3. C
    De facto sovereignty
  4. D
    External sovereignty

Answer

Political sovereignty
Political sovereignty is the ultimate authority residing in the electorate or citizens of a state. Although legal sovereignty is exercised by the law-making institution (such as Parliament) to enact statutes, that institution remains accountable to the political sovereign—the voters—who retain the power to mandate policy direction through elections.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the holder of supreme authority described in the question scenario
The scenario focuses on the voting citizens or electorate.
The question specifically asks about the form of supreme authority exercised by citizens who elect law-makers.
2
Differentiate political sovereignty from legal, de facto, and external sovereignty
Political sovereignty is the ultimate power behind legal sovereignty, residing in the electorate.
While legal sovereignty belongs to the legislature that enacts laws, political sovereignty belongs to the electorate whose political will shapes legislative authority.

Key Concept

Political Sovereignty vs Legal Sovereignty
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Topics

Sovereignty: Concept, Types, Characteristics, and Limitations

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