Sovereignty is defined as the
supreme and legal authority of the
state to enforce its will on its members by coercive sanction. ( Ayson,2000) There are 2 aspects of sovereignty: They are the
internal and
external sovereignty. Internal
Sovereignty is the supreme and absolute power of the state to enforce its will on the people within its territory. It implies therefore that government must possess adequate power to control and regulate the conduct and affairs of the people within the borders of the state. Here are the examples: suppress internal violence like rebellion, or insurrection; apprehend criminals; curb the conduct of lawless elements and other irresponsible groups ( Ayson,2000). The purpose in the exercise of internal sovereignty is the general good. This means that not only good for the few individuals but for the majority of the people if not all citizen in a certain state.
External sovereignty on the other hand means independence of a state from control by any other state.. External sovereignty implies that all nations-states enjoy
equality under international law. ( Ayson,2000) This equality or independence may not be true to all
nations or states because of many factors. These are the : territorial size, natural resources, geographical location, population size, technological and industrial development, agricultural development, economic and political stability, military strength, and cultural values.
The substance of the so called sovereignty and equality is that, to impose its own will upon its inhabitants in its own territory by every independent state, is its legal right.
More summaries about the Sovereignty: The Supreme Power