Sovereignty: The Evolution of an Idea

Key Concepts (Polity)

by Robert Jackson

Sovereignty is at the very centre of the political and legal arrangements of the modern world. The idea originated in the controversies and wars, both religious and political, of 16th and 17th century Europe and since that time it has continued to spread and evolve. Today sovereignty is a global system of it extends across all religions, civilizations, languages, cultures, ethnic and racial groupings, and other collectivities into which humanity is divided. In this highly accessible book, Robert Jackson provides a concise and comprehensive introduction to the history and meaning of sovereignty. Drawing on a wide range of examples from the US Declaration of Independence to terrorist attacks of 9/11 he shows how sovereignty operates in our daily lives and analyses the issues raised by its universality and centrality in the organization of the world. The book covers core topics such as the discourse of sovereignty, the global expansion of sovereignty, the rise of popular sovereignty, and the relationship between sovereignty and human rights. It concludes by examining future challenges facing sovereignty in an era of globalization. This interdisciplinary study will be of interest to a wide range of students, academics and general readers who seek to understand this fundamental concept of the modern world.

Genres: Political Science, Nonfiction, Politics

200 pages, Hardcover

First published October 22, 2007

About the author

Robert Jackson was born in 1941 in the North Yorkshire village of Melsonby. A former pilot and navigation instructor, his active involvement with aviation lasted many years. Following his retirement from the RAFVR in 1977 as a squadron leader, he became a full-time aviation writer and aerospace correspondent and lectured extensively on strategic issues. He speaks five languages, including Russian, and has written more than forty nonfiction works on military affairs. He is also the author of the popular Yeoman and SAS fiction series.

Reviews

[Sasha · Rating 1 out of 5]

For the first ~120 pages I was annoyed by the book's patronizing tone, but was all right with the conclusions it was drawing. I was going to give it a three. Then I read the last two chapters. I thought Eurocentrisim wasn't in vogue in academia anymore? Ugh. Give it a pass; there are much better books on the subject. Many volumes on nationalism cover a similar range of topics and are great, thought-provoking, intellectually sophisticated books. Try Rodgers Brubaker or Anthony D. Smith.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a book that writes on the history of idea quite clearly. However, one might expect to see more conceptual work here and there.

[David Carrasquillo · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's kinda a tricky book. The author knows what he is talking about but, the content is really disorganized and constantly started talking off topic throughout the chapters. It did get the objective done, to spark ideas. It definitely comes short on the level of profoundness. So, I would not recommend it.

[Alya AlShaibani · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5