HISTORICAL AND LEGAL ANALYSIS OF THE EVOLUTION OF THE CONCEPT OF SOVEREIGNTY

Abstract

The present study offers a comprehensive analysis of the evolution of the concept of state sovereignty in Western European political and legal thought from the 16th to the 19th century. The historical genesis of sovereignty’s conceptual development, influenced by diverse social processes, can be divided into distinct periods, each marked by characteristic transformations in understanding this phenomenon – from its emergence and consolidation to its gradual erosion and fragmentation. The research spans the period from the formation of classical sovereignty doctrine in the 16th century to its critical reevaluation in the 20th century, with particular focus on key theoretical paradigms (absolutist, liberal, popular- sovereign, and pluralist), their mutual influence, and historical transformation. The methodological framework incorporates historical, comparative- legal, and institutional research methods. Today, sovereignty remains a foundational concept in both political science and jurisprudence. Its interpretation has varied significantly across cultural contexts and historical conditions. The study’s findings reveal the dialectical nature of sovereignty’s conceptual development, demonstrating both continuity in core principles and radical contradictions among European thinkers’ theoretical models. The article contributes to and complements modern discussions about the nature of state sovereignty and its variability in the context of specific historical processes.