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Single Idea 20086

[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 2. State Legitimacy / a. Sovereignty ]

Full Idea

In the twenty-first century, sovereignty, once the basis of the nation state, has become a relative concept. ...Powerlessness is the key word of our time.

Gist of Idea

Nowadays sovereignty (once the basis of a state) has become relative

Source

David van Reybrouck (Against Elections [2013], 1 'Crisis')

Book Ref

Reybrouck,David van: 'Against Elections', ed/tr. Waters,Liz [Bodley Head 2016], p.12


A Reaction

The point is that nation states now have limited power, in the face of larger unions, multinational companies, and global problems.


The 12 ideas with the same theme [rightful power over citizens]:

Hobbes says the people voluntarily give up their sovereignty, in a contract with a ruler [Hobbes, by Oksala]
Sovereignty must include the power to make people submit to it [Spinoza]
People accept the right to be commanded, because they themselves wish to command [Rousseau]
Rousseau insists that popular sovereignty needs a means of expressing consent [Rousseau, by Oksala]
Sovereignty is the exercise of the general will, which can never be delegated [Rousseau]
Just as people control their limbs, the general-will state has total control of its members [Rousseau]
Political laws are fundamental, as they firmly organise the state - but they could still be changed [Rousseau]
The sovereignty does not appoint the leaders [Rousseau]
States only have full authority if they heed the claims of human fellowship [Green,TH]
Liberal state legitimacy is based on a belief in justice, not in some conception of the good life [Kymlicka]
Nowadays sovereignty (once the basis of a state) has become relative [Reybrouck]
Unjust institutions may be seen as just; are they legitimate if just but seen as unjust? [Tuckness/Wolf]