In this article you will learn about the Dimensions of Sovereignty in Political Science.
Sovereignty
Sovereignty is the supreme power of a country or state to control its own government. Each state stands defined as a sovereign state, and the state cannot be admitted as a state without sovereignty. Sovereignty is the hallmark of the State and it is often described as ‘The Soul of the State’. The government of the state exercises authority and makes laws, rules, decisions, policies, rewards and punishments on the basis of Sovereignty. It gives legal status to the State and vests it with supreme, ultimate, final and legal unlimited power over all the citizens and groups which inhabit its territory.
Two Dimensions of Sovereignty
Sovereignty has two important dimensions : Internal Sovereignty and External Sovereignty.
Internal Sovereignty
Internal Sovereignty means the exercise of supreme power over all the people and in the whole territory. All the people living in the territory of the State are bound by the authority of the State and its laws. The State can regulate the behaviour of the people in almost all aspects because it has the power to command obedience and punish the violators.
In simple words we can say that internal sovereignty means the supreme power of the State over all the people, associations, groups and organisations and the subjects living within the territory of the state. The State exercises the supreme power and authority over its people through enforcing and making laws and by punishing the offenders of its laws.
External Sovereignty
Theoretically, External Sovereignty means the supreme power of the State in the international system i.e. in its relations with the other States. But, it really does not mean that the State has a right to command duty with other States. No State can command other States because each State is a Sovereign State and hence enjoys supreme power.
External Sovereignty really means sovereign equality of all the State. Each State either big or small, by dignity of its sovereign status is equal to every other States. It cannot command another State and cannot itself be commanded by any other State. Each State can independently act out its role in international relations and it can do so by adopting and implementing a foreign policy of its own. It can act freely to secure and safeguard its national interests. It may voluntarily accept and follow the rules of international law but no State or law can bind or regulate its behaviour at the international level.
As a whole, External Sovereignty means external equality with all other States and the freedom of action at the international level for safeguarding its national interests.
This article on Dimensions of Sovereignty in Political Science is contributed by Dipshikha Anand. If you like LawStudyPoint.com do follow us on our Twitter handle.