Scope note

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This class comprises the activities involved in the exercise of power by a ruling group or individual over a population and, typically, a territory. Sovereignty consists in the active assertion of the sovereign's power over the related population and territory through physical and/or symbolic acts which are meant to and actually do maintain the authority of that sovereign.

An instance of sovereignty may come into existence either through its assertion on the part of the sovereign, which may bring about the rule of the sovereign (e.g.: a revolution, coup d'etat) or may come about constitutionally through the application of pre-agreed terms of the declaration of a new sovereign and their assumption of sovereignty (e.g.: coronation procedures).

Instances of sovereignty may cease to exist either through a counter action that successfully challenges that sovereignty (e.g., a popular revolution), through the dissolution of general social order, or constitutionally through pre-agreed forms of the transfer of power (e.g., direct descent). Moreover, the death or dissolution of the individual or group exercising sovereignty may also bring about the end to its existence.

Language

en