What Does Sovereign Mean?

The term "sovereign" usually refers to an absolute power, usually politically. Political leaders such as absolute monarchs and dictators are absolute powers. Sovereign can also be used to describe a type of state. A sovereign state, nation, or country is one that is independent. If a nation oversees territory outside its borders, those territories will regard the governing nation as their sovereign. An object or an entity can also be sovereign. The dollar is the sovereign form of currency for several countries, including the United States. The internet could be considered the sovereign method of media at the moment.

A good example of a sovereign ruler would be The Pope. This is because he has the final word for any decision made regarding Vatican City. The Pope is also the leader of the entire Catholic Church which spans the globe. He is an absolute ruler of the Vatican City and an absolute leader in the personal lives of Catholics everywhere. For many Catholics, the pope has the ultimate authority for a large number of their personal decisions in life. This includes political and moral judgements.

Most countries in existence are sovereign nations. A sovereign nation must have the capability to impede control or rule over the lives of the people within its borders. Canada is a sovereign nation because the people who live within its borders are subject to its laws. If they disobey the laws of Canada, they are subject to punishment.

Some countries have created colonies in other parts of the world. A good example of this is Colonial Great Britain. When Great Britain had colonies, they were subject to the laws of the sovereign state rather than their own laws. When Australia was a former colony of Britain, the Australians were subject to British law. The British were the absolute and final authority.

Sovereignty is basically defined as the exclusive right for government and control. It is normally used for Nations, individuals and law. The concept of Sovereignty is said to have initiated by Jean Bodin.

There are two types of Sovereignty in the modern subject of international relations, which are as follows:

- Internal Sovereignty: The concept of internal Sovereignty is based on the concept of state. Each of the state has a ruling government which has a sovereignty over its domestic affairs. All these states reject any foreign interference.

- External Sovereignty: This type of sovereignty actually describes the rights of the state to define its interests. A state is responsible for setting its objectives and goals and then the means or methods for achievement of these goals. None of the other nations have the right to interfere in these goals and the means to achieve them.

Sovereignty is defined as the supreme power of a state or nation within its boundaries. It is a government free from external control and influence. It can also refer to the royal authority or the rule of the monarchy. The criticisms of the foreign government against a state of mistreatment of its own citizens can be silenced by the nation's stand about it being a sovereign state.

It is believed that Plato was the first person who loosely dealt with the concept of sovereignty. Jean Bordin, the French political philosopher was the first theorist who conceptualized the modern concept of sovereignty in his "Six Bookes of a Commonweale" (1576). Thomas Hobbes, the English philosopher advanced the concept laid by Bordin who said that the prince was the sovereign power who had the power to declare the law. Hobbes widened the concept by saying that the prince not only had the sovereign power to declare the law but also create it. The concept of absolute political and moral power was linked to the growth of the modern state. Today the term is used to underline the attribute of a state rather than just one entity. A sovereign state or nation is the one which is free, and capable of making its own decisions like forming laws and forging pacts of trade and political agreements with foreign countries.

Sovereign basically means "supreme or the ultimate;" not ruled over by others. Sovereign can be used as a noun as well as an adjective. As a noun, "sovereign" means "the head of a nation or ruler by virtue of heredity. "The adjective "sovereign" pertains to "the attribute of ultimate power or authority especially with regards to political independence." The synonyms of the noun form of the word are king, emperor, monarch, crowned head etc. The synonyms of the adjective "sovereign" are self-governing, independent or autonomous.

In a monarchy, the king as sovereign has total and unconditional power, while in a democracy; the people are bestowed with the sovereign power. Sovereign also refers to a nation that governs and manages the territory outside its borders. Sovereign was also a gold coin used formerly in Great Britain.

The word sovereign is an adjective and its meaning is dominant and effective some synonyms of the word are:
 Absolute
Ascendant
Autonomous
Principal
Regal
Supreme
Highest
Independent
Paramount
Self-governed

The word Sovereign has originated from Old French. It was then adopted in Middle English as Soverain. It is used as an adjective and also as a noun.

When used as an adjective, it represents something that is independent or self governing just like when we use it for a state or country. It is something that has super strength and has a supreme rank.

When used as a noun, it represents someone who has a permanent authority and power. It is also used for someone who is paramount in status or is independent in nature.

There a four type of sovereignty

Sovereignty means unlimited power.

It means part of the government

Lady sovereign is a rapper but sovereign basically means ruler of

Government free from control

Internal and external sovereignty

Basically political and legal sovereignty are two differ concepts. According to A.V. Dicey,  legal sovereignty is in parliament and political sovereignty is concerned with the electorate. The whole meaning of legal and political sovereignty is to get the legal control over a government and country. Political sovereignty can be considered as unlimited political power. On the other hand legal sovereignty can be considered as an absolute legal authority.

Political sovereignty is related with the supreme power for making decisions on political affairs while legal sovereignty deals with the decision making on legal issues. In this way sovereignty as a whole deals with control of the constitution and administration of government.