What is Sovereignty

Sovereignty is a popular political concept which defines a dominant power or supreme authority. Many countries declare themselves sovereign, meaning that ultimate power resides in the “sovereign”. These powers historically rested in the monarchy. In countries that practise modern democracy, this sovereign power is legitimized by the country’s people. These citizens exercise their political rights to sovereignty through their elected representative body. Lawmaking chambers such as Congress or Parliament are vital to managing this power without limitation. A nation’s sovereignty grants them the independence to make the laws that guide them. The key theme of this term is autonomy. Sovereign power means there is no platform for others to interfere in the operations of a nation.

Sovereignty is also key to handling eminent domain and sovereign immunity. These two critical aspects of good governance give life to private property rights and presidential immunity.

Popular Sovereignty

Popular sovereignty is a term that means the people’s voice awards ruling powers. A candidate winning the “popular vote” is often used to describe a majority selection through an election. These votes are crucial to determining the government which will set policy. The critical aspect of this concept is that the people rule. Citizens cast their political will behind aspiring candidates, and these leaders are elected to Congress. Congress is then responsible for selecting the President of the country based on the people’s mandate. The constitution of the U.S. uses the term popular sovereignty within its Preamble.

Federalism

Federalism is a bureaucratic concept that suggests there are various levels of state government. These departments co-exist under a central government. The U.S. state departments fall under the federal government. The head of this government is the President, who presides over a national government. Federalism is employed to ensure that there is accountability for both national and state governments. These entities need to share power to help fulfil the electorate’s mandate. Without Federalism, there are often low levels of representation for minorities. The U.S. Constitution explicitly outlines the terms for Federalism in the Tenth Amendment. The power-sharing formula used is outlined in Article IV. This relationship is key to preventing conflict between the states and the federal government.

How is Federalism different from Popular Sovereignty?

Federalism works by protecting the vote of every citizen, thereby defending popular sovereignty. Large central governments can drown out the priorities of smaller individual state governments. Elected officials are required to represent the voters’ interests, meaning popular power is a doctrinal ideal. This term is built on seven principles. These democratic principles are critical factors in U.S. democracy. The core theme of these principles is that ultimate sovereignty should rest in the will of constituents. The people of the land should rule rather than a colonial power. The constitution doesn’t define the structure required for sovereignty. 

The guidance on achieving sovereignty comes from Federalism. This term embodies the appropriate governance structure required to ensure that the national laws and policies are derived for the betterment and unity of multiple states or provinces. Various states within the U.S. operate on their chosen governance apparatus system. This bureaucratic breakdown of autonomy covers the legislative, judiciary, enforcement and social services. Allowing states the independence to exercise limited authority ensures that all voters can be equally heard. Providing locals with the power to influence laws within their local jurisdiction helps best serve the interests of popular sovereignty. The system applies at the top, meaning the federal apparatus provides the same opportunities for chosen lawmakers at the national level. The executive does have more power than the local authorities; however, the U.S. has special administrative zones where this does not apply. Management at a federal/local level requires extensive negotiation between federal and state entities. Conflict can result in some instances as numerous component states have different authority given to them by the national entity.

Federalism is different from popular sovereignty, but it works to support it. It is the introduction of important structures that may organize a nation. Non-democratic countries also use Federalism; therefore, it doesn’t conform to any particular ideology.

What are some Examples of Popular Sovereignty?

The U.S, Canada, and Mexico are democracies that function based on popular sovereignty. These nations require citizens to attend an election to select their representatives in the lawmaking chambers. In the U.S., these lawmakers from Congress and this body are responsible for electing the President. Citizens can also directly influence policy through referendums, where they vote directly on laws through initiatives at the state level.

​​Is popular Sovereignty the same as Democracy?

Popular sovereignty relies on the will of the people to govern. This direct form of authority means the citizens’ permission gives that authority. This concept is used to limit the powers of government and increase those of the electorate. Democracy differs as this term implies that the citizens transfer their full authority to the government. The government can then act autonomously as provided within the country’s constitution.

Popular Sovereignty vs National Sovereignty

Structures put in place to ensure that a nation achieves the accelerated formation of sustainable freedom, equality and justice are essential to national sovereignty. The term implies that governance is based on what is best for all citizens equally. This concept requires that society depends totally on the same sense of establishing national sovereignty. National sovereignty shows how citizens should live based on freedom, equality, and justice. It provides an equal footing that ensures liberty for all who live in the society and state. Popular sovereignty is different as it allows citizens to choose what is best for them by electing the government that will rule the people. It is a term that implies limited power for elected members of the lawmaking chambers.

What is Dual Federalism?

Dual Federalism is a term that implies divided sovereignty. This type of political arrangement operates with an equally balanced power share between the federal and state governments. The constitutions cover this state in clearly defined terms that the state governments can only use the powers transferred to them. These two separate entities, even the federal government, cannot interfere with each other.

How is Feudalism different from Popular Sovereignty?

Feudalism is an ancient governing structure that combines medieval European countries’ legal, economic, military, and cultural customs between the 9th and 15th centuries. It required the nobles of society to transfer authority to the military service and vassals to serve their interests. The peasants offered their assistance and homage to the nobles in exchange for their lord’s land and protection. In exchange, the nobles provided them with a share of the produce and military security.

What did the Federalists think about Presidential Power

Federalists agree with the need for presidential administration as a means of arbitration in matters of strategic importance. The executive helps provide clarity during times of conflict between horizontal states.