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MEANING / CONCEPT OF SOVEREIGNTY, , , , Sovereignty is one of the most essential and spiritual elements of the, state which distinguishes a state from other associations. The term, “Sovereignty” has been derived from the Latin word “Superanus” which, means supreme or paramount. Therefore etymologically, it means the, supreme power of the state, above which no power exist. Various, scholars have defined the term in their own ways. According to, Bodin, “Sovereignty is the supreme power of the State over citizens and, subjects unrestrained by law’. According to Willoughby, “Sovereignty is, the supreme will of the state”. Burgess defined Sovereignty as “Original,, absolute, unlimited power over the individual subjects and over all, associations of subjects”. Thus, Sovereignty is the strongest power and, supreme authority of the state which is not restricted by law. It is the, supreme will of the state. It takes the shape of a command given by, state and is binding on all concerned. Sovereignty has two aspects or, dimensions - internal and external. Internal sovereignty means that the, state has supreme power over all its citizens and associations. It can, compel obedience of its people to its laws and commands. External, sovereignty means that the state is free from control of any foreign, state or alien rule., , CHARACTERISTICS OF SOVEREIGNTY, The following are the characteristics of Sovereignty :, , 1) Absoluteness : Sovereignty is absolute. It means that the power, and authority of the state is supreme and unlimited. There is no, other power within the state or outside the state superior to it or, issue command to it. The state can make and enforce any law, and it is binding on all., , 2) Universality : Sovereignty is universal. It is all comprehensive and, , 5), , applicable to all individuals and associations, which are subject, to supreme power of the state. No person or association can, claim exemption from its law. Its law are universal. It control, external behaviour of each person and associations and thereby, bring about social order., , Permanence : The Sovereignty is permanent. If the ruler of the, state is changed, it does not mean that the sovereign power of, the state also changed. Whoever rules the state just exercise its, sovereign power but cannot change it. The sovereignty of the, state exist as long as the state exist. The death of the king or the, overthrow of the government does not affect sovereignty. This is, the reason why people in England used to say “The King is dead,, long live the King”., , Indivisibility (Exclusiveness) : Sovereignty is the exclusive power, of the state. The state do not share its supreme power with any, other authority or group. In a state there is only one Sovereign., To divide more than one sovereign within the state is to break up, the unity of the state. American statesman Calhoun has declared,, “Sovereignty is an entire thing or a total concept, to divide it is to, destroy it"., , Inalienability : Sovereignty is inalienable. By inalienability it, means that the State cannot part with its sovereignty or the state, cannot transfer its sovereignty without its own death., Sovereignty is the life and soul of the state and it cannot be, alienated without destroying the state itself. For instance, a tree, cannot alienate its right to sprout or a man cannot transfer his, life or personality to another without self-destruction”., , From the above discussion it all shows that, sovereignty is absolute, universal, permanent, indivisible,, inalienable power of the state., , V7 | Edit with WPS Office