Political Science 1020E Lecture Notes - Supreme Court Of Canada, Jean Bodin, Parliamentary Sovereignty
16 Nov 2011
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Sovereignty: modern concept first introduced by jean bodin (1583, highest authority, in every polity (territorial governed area) a person, group, or institution must have supreme power. Although, this power can also be said to be held by the people: did not exist in the middle ages in europe, original meaning: sovereignty is undivided; it is not shared. The sovereign power: makes laws, provides justice. Owns all land: conducts foreign relations, acts as or can remove governing executive. Types: sovereign monarchies, parliamentary sovereignty, power held by one individual, power held by representative assembly, power ultimately held by all individuals. Sovereign powers: the modern concept of sovereignty is therefore too flexible; however, its is still useful to describe politics vis a vis one another, ex. Canada"s affairs without violating its sovereignty: also, a government can be said to be sovereign because it has a monopoly on the use of force.
