Introduction to Political Theory 113state—except one. Sovereignty is that quality which makes a
state a power unto itself. Sovereignty is the final authority, the
highest authority, the last court of appeal. Sovereignty is what
makes a state different from and superior to a school, a town, a
corporation, or any other institution. Sovereignty resides in a
state, somewhere, as defined by that state and is where “the buck
stops.”
Jean Bodin, in the sixteenth century, set forward a definition
of sovereignty which can shed some light on the concept. Bodin
claimed that sovereignty was absolute, comprehensive, indivis
ible, and nontransfer able. Much of what he said was in a
historical context which is important, but not germane to this
discussion. What we are interested in are the implications of his
theory which transcend his particular time frame. Let’s examine
each term. Absolute means without question, free from limit or
qualification. When we speak of an absolute monarch we are
talking about one who is free to do whatever he pleases in regard
to his subjects. Comprehensive means all-inclusive, covering all
aspects of the society. There are no favored elements, no excep
tions to the rule— sovereignty is exercised and has jurisdiction
over all. Indivisible was a term used by Bodin to indicate that a
king could not share power with a legislature. Obviously a king
and legislature can share power, but sovereignty itself cannot be
shared— it must rest somewhere, indivisible. Finally, the con
cept of nontransferability deals with the idea that if an absolute
ruler transfers (gives) that sovereign power to another, he can
not, of right, reclaim it. To transfer an absolute power to another,
makes the other an absolute power, and a return of that power
would be at the largesse of the holder, not at the demand of the
former holder.
The point of using Bodin’s concept of sovereignty, is to make
clear the importance of the concept, and the power of the idea.
In every aspect of government or government-like organization,
there is the opportunity for appeal. In every scheme of levels of
authority, a higher authority can overrule a lower one. There is
a hierarchy of authority in every organization known to man. The
state is the only entity where that hierarchy ends, finally and
completely, at some place, and that place is where sovereignty
resides.
There are several theories which are held in opposition to