In praise of sovereignty

Abstract

This article analyzes the concept of Sovereignty, that is an ever-changing one: whilst it was initially absolute and exercised by one single power, over the course of history it has been associated with a territorial dimension involving the government of the State, following which it came to be vested in the people according to the precepts of liberal constitutionalism. Therefore, popular sovereignty must be regarded as a keystone principle of contemporary liberal democracies as all forms of citizen participation are grounded on it, including not only the right to vote but also fundamental rights and constitutional freedoms.