Classical political theorist Jean Bodin defined sovereignty as absolute, perpetual, and indivisible supreme power. However, in a constitutional federal republic, governmental powers are legally shared between the central government and federating units. Which statement accurately explains how sovereign authority is structured and limited within such a federal system?
- Internal sovereignty is bounded by constitutional supremacy, which divides legislative competencies and prevents any single tier of government from exercising absolute power.Answer
- BLegal sovereignty shifts entirely to the electorate, converting the formal federal structure into a pure political body governed by de facto administrative power.
- CCoercive physical power replaces constitutional authority, forcing federating units to obey central government directives through non-legitimate force.
- DExternal sovereignty is fragmented, allowing federating states to independently negotiate international treaties and exercise supreme legal authority over foreign relations.
Answer
Internal sovereignty is bounded by constitutional supremacy, which divides legislative competencies and prevents any single tier of government from exercising absolute power.
In a federal republic, the constitution is the supreme law of the land. It divides governance powers between the central authority and federating units, thereby serving as an internal legal limitation on state sovereignty. This contrasts with Jean Bodin's classical monarchical view of absolute and undivided sovereignty, as constitutional supremacy ensures no single organ or tier of government holds unlimited authority.
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Internal Limitations on Sovereignty in Federal Systems
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