Sovereignty is at the very centre of the political and legal
arrangements of the modern world. The idea originated in the
controversies and wars, both religious and political, of 16th and
17th century Europe and since that time it has continued to spread
and evolve. Today sovereignty is a global system of authority: it
extends across all religions, civilizations, languages, cultures,
ethnic and racial groupings, and other collectivities into which
humanity is divided.
In this highly accessible book, Robert Jackson provides a
concise and comprehensive introduction to the history and meaning
of sovereignty. Drawing on a wide range of examples from the US
Declaration of Independence to terrorist attacks of 9/11 he shows
how sovereignty operates in our daily lives and analyses the issues
raised by its universality and centrality in the organization of
the world. The book covers core topics such as the discourse of
sovereignty, the global expansion of sovereignty, the rise of
popular sovereignty, and the relationship between sovereignty and
human rights. It concludes by examining future challenges facing
sovereignty in an era of globalization.
This interdisciplinary study will be of interest to a wide range
of students, academics and general readers who seek to understand
this fundamental concept of the modern world.
Table of Content
Preface.
Chapter 1 Sovereignty and Modernity.
Manifestations of Sovereignty.
Sovereignty and Modernity.
Independence and Supremacy.
Power, Authority, Responsibility.
The Discourse of Sovereignty.
Chapter 2 ‘A Shocking Idea’.
Europe before Sovereignty.
Respublica Christiana.
The Revolution of Sovereignty.
Chapter 3 Sovereigns of Europe and the World.
The Great Transformation.
The Divine Right of Kings.
Dynastic Sovereignty.
Western Empires.
Imperial Sovereignty.
Chapter 4 Popular Sovereignty.
In the Name of the People.
Parliamentary Sovereignty.
Democratic Sovereignty.
Totalitarian Sovereignty.
National Self-Determination.
Territorial Sovereignty.
The End of Sovereignty?.
Chapter 5 Sovereignty and Humanity.
Protecting Human Rights.
Humanity Discourse.
Human Rights, Human Wrongs, and Sovereign States.
Human Rights under International Law.
Humanitarian Intervention.
Chapter 6 Sovereignty and Globalization.
9/11 and the State.
The Globalization Thesis.
The Sovereign States System.
Presuppositions of a States System.
Between Past and Future
About the author
Robert Jackson is Professor of International Relations and Political Science at Boston University.
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