Sovereignty is one of the central concepts of political and legal thought, yet its meaning and relevance have been continuously contested and redefined. Traditionally understood as the supreme authority of the state over a defined territory and population, sovereignty has long structured international relations, constitutional orders, and ideas of political legitimacy. Today, however, this classical understanding is increasingly challenged by globalization, supranational institutions, human rights regimes, economic interdependence, digital governance, and global crises such as climate change and pandemics.
This course offers an introduction to the concept of sovereignty, tracing its historical foundations and examining how it has evolved over time. We will begin by studying classical theories of sovereignty, from early modern thinkers to the formation of the modern state system. We will then explore how sovereignty operates in contemporary political and legal contexts, paying particular attention to debates surrounding shared, limited, or contested sovereignty. We will also explore critical perspectives, such as the conceptual consequences of sovereignty having been developed in a colonial context and by colonial states.
Throughout the course, we will engage with key questions such as: What does it mean to be sovereign in a globalized world? Is state sovereignty being eroded, transformed, or reasserted? How do non-state actors, international organizations, and transnational challenges reshape sovereign authority? Can sovereignty coexist with universal human rights?
- Dozent/in: Juliette Monvoisin