Political Science Fundamentals: Sovereignty and State Theories

Posted on Feb 24, 2026 in Philosophy and ethics

This material provides a breakdown of key concepts relevant to your studies, focusing on Sovereignty and the nature of the State.

I. Sovereignty: Supreme State Authority

1. Meaning of Sovereignty

Sovereignty is the supreme power or authority of a state. It signifies that within its defined territory, the state possesses the final authority in making laws and decisions, and it remains free from external control by other nations.

2. Main Characteristics of Sovereignty

• Absoluteness: There is no power higher than the sovereign state.
• Permanence: Sovereignty endures as long as the state exists; it is not dependent on the tenure of a ruler.
• Universality: The state’s power extends over all people and associations within its borders.
• Indivisibility: Sovereignty cannot be divided; dividing it effectively destroys it.
• Exclusiveness: No other state can exercise authority over the same territory.

3. Types of Sovereignty

• Internal Sovereignty: Power exercised over everything inside the state’s borders.
• External Sovereignty: Independence from foreign control.
• Legal Sovereignty: The power to enact laws (e.g., Parliament).
• Political Sovereignty: The underlying power behind the legal sovereign (e.g., the will of the people).
• De Jure vs. De Facto: Sovereignty based on established law versus sovereignty based on actual physical control or force.

Would you like a detailed explanation of a specific part, such as Austin’s Theory of Sovereignty or the difference between Internal and External Sovereignty?

II. Political Science: Scope and Interrelation

Political science is a multifaceted social science that explores the theory and practice of government and the distribution of power. Derived from the Greek word Polis (city-state), it is the systematic study of the state, government, and political behavior.

1. Meaning, Nature, Scope, and Significance

Meaning

Political Science examines how societies organize themselves, make collective decisions, and resolve conflicts through authoritative power.

Nature

The nature of the discipline is often viewed through two lenses:

• As a Science: It uses systematic observation, data analysis, and empirical methods to develop theories about political behavior (e.g., voting patterns).
• As an Art: It involves the practical application of power, diplomacy, and leadership to manage human affairs and achieve social justice.
• Normative vs. Empirical: It is normative (what ought to be) when discussing justice and rights, and empirical (what is) when analyzing current government functions.

Scope

The boundaries of political science are expansive, covering:

• Political Theory: Ancient and modern ideas regarding liberty, equality, and justice.
• Public Institutions: The study of constitutions, legislatures, judiciaries, and bureaucracies.
• Political Dynamics: Analysis of political parties, pressure groups, and public opinion.
• International Relations: Diplomacy, international law, and global organizations like the UN.

Significance

• Informed Citizenship: It teaches citizens their rights and duties, fostering a healthy democracy.
• Policy Formulation: Provides the intellectual framework for creating effective laws and public services.
• Conflict Resolution: Offers tools to understand and mitigate tensions between different social groups or nations.

2. Relationship with Other Social Sciences

Political science is deeply intertwined with other disciplines:

Political Science and Philosophy

• Relationship: Philosophy provides the “moral compass” for politics. Concepts like “The Ideal State” or “Natural Rights” originated in political philosophy.
• The Link: While philosophy asks what is good or just, political science studies how to implement those values in a real-world government.

Political Science and History

• Relationship: They are often called “two sides of the same coin.” History provides the raw data (the “past politics”), and political science provides the theory (the “present history”).
• The Link: Political scientists use historical events to understand why certain systems failed and others succeeded.

Political Science and Economics

• Relationship: In the past, they were studied together as “Political Economy.” Modern politics is often driven by economic factors like inflation, trade, and taxation.
• The Link: A government’s stability depends on its economic performance, and economic policies (like the budget) are ultimately political decisions.

Political Science and Sociology

• Relationship: Sociology is the study of society as a whole; political science is the study of the political organized subset of that society.
• The Link: You cannot understand political behavior without understanding social factors like caste, class, religion, and family structures, which are the domain of sociology.

Interdisciplinary Connections Summary:

III. The State: Meaning and Origin Theories

In political science, the State is the central concept. It is defined not just as a physical area, but as a specific type of human association with unique legal and political characteristics.

1. The State: Meaning and Elements

The term “State” was first popularized in its modern sense by Niccolò Machiavelli. J.W. Garner defines it as: “The State is a community of persons, more or less numerous, permanently occupying a definite portion of territory, independent of external control, and possessing an organized government.”

The Four Essential Elements

For an entity to be recognized as a state, it must possess these four components:

• Population: A state is a human institution. There should be a sufficient number of people to sustain a political organization.
• Territory: A state must have a fixed geographical boundary including land, water, and airspace.
• Government: This is the political machinery through which the will of the state is formulated and expressed.
• Sovereignty: This is the most vital element, encompassing supreme power internally and independence externally.

2. Theories of the Origin of the State

Several theories attempt to explain how the state came into existence:

Divine Origin Theory

• The Concept: The oldest theory, positing that the state is a divine institution created by God.
• The Ruler: The King is seen as God’s representative on earth; disobeying the King was considered a sin.
• Significance: It was used for centuries to justify absolute monarchy and ensure social order through religious obedience.

Force Theory

• The Concept: “War begat the King.” This theory argues that the state emerged through physical coercion, conquest, and the domination of the weak by the strong.
• The Ruler: Authority is based on might; a powerful leader conquers others and establishes a kingdom.
• Significance: It highlights the role of military power and aggression in early state-building.

Social Contract Theory

• The Concept: The state is a man-made institution created through a voluntary agreement (contract) among people to move from a chaotic “State of Nature” to an organized society.
• Key Thinkers:
  • Hobbes: People sought a strong ruler (Leviathan) to escape a “nasty, brutish, and short” life.
  • Locke: People contracted to protect their “Natural Rights” (Life, Liberty, Property).
  • Rousseau: The contract is based on the “General Will” of the people.
• Significance: It shifted the source of political power from God to the consent of the governed.

Evolutionary (Historical) Theory

• The Concept: The most scientifically accepted theory. It suggests the state is a product of slow, steady growth over centuries, not a sudden event.
• Key Factors:
  • Kinship: Blood ties (families growing into clans and tribes).
  • Religion: Provided a common bond and shared moral code.
  • Force: Helped in territorial expansion and consolidation.
  • Political Consciousness: The eventual realization that a formal organization was needed for security and progress.

Theories of State Origin Comparison: