Sovereignty

Overview#

Sovereignty is understood in jurisprudence as the full right and power of a Jurisdiction to govern itself without any interference from outside sources or bodies. In political theory, Sovereignty is a substantive term designating supreme authority over some polity.[1] It is a basic principle underlying the dominant Westphalian model of state foundation.[1]

The Second Treatise of Government[2]#

The Second Treatise of Government places Sovereignty into the hands of the people. Locke's fundamental argument is that people are equal and invested with natural rights in a state of nature in which they live free from outside rule. In the state of nature, natural law governs behavior, and each person has license to execute that law against someone who wrongs them by infringing on their rights.

People take what they need from the earth, but hoard just enough to cover their needs. Eventually, people begin to trade their excess goods with each other, until they develop a common currency for barter, or money. Money eliminates limits on the amount of property they can obtain (unlike food, money does not spoil), and they begin to gather estates around themselves and their families.

People then exchange some of their natural rights to enter into society with other people, and be protected by common laws and a common executive power to enforce the laws. People need executive power to protect their property and defend their liberty. The civil state is beholden to the people, and has power over the people only insofar as it exists to protect and preserve their welfare.

People have the right to dissolve their government, if that government ceases to work solely in their best interest. The government has no Sovereignty of its own--it exists to serve the people.

John Locke and Sovereignty[3]#

Locke argued that “sovereign and independent” was man’s natural state and that we gave up freedom, our Sovereignty, in exchange for something else, This grand bargain forms the basis for any society. As a Community of Interest, the Internet proposes a similar bargain.

The goal of being Self-Sovereign Identity isn't to be completely independent. With regard to the Internet: only machines without a network connection are completely independent. In the case of identity: only people without any relationships are completely independent. Seen from Locke's viewpoint, Sovereignty is a resource each person combines with that of others to create society. Voluntarily giving up some of our rights to a state confers legitimacy on that state and its constitution.!! More Information There might be more information for this subject on one of the following:

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