Sovereignty is the key to political power from "summary" of The Concept of the Political by Carl Schmitt
The concept of sovereignty holds a central place in understanding political power. Sovereignty represents the ultimate authority within a political community, the entity that possesses the final say in all matters of governance. It is the sovereign who decides on the state of exception, the moment when the normal rules and laws are suspended in the name of preserving the political order. In this sense, sovereignty is the key to political power, as it determines who has the authority to make decisions that affect the entire community. Sovereignty is not simply a legal or institutional concept; it is a fundamental aspect of the political realm. The sovereign embodies the unity and coherence of the political community, symbolizing its ability to act as a single entity in the face of external threats or internal divisions. Without sovereignty, there can be no meaningful exercise of political power, no effective way to make decisions that bind the members of the community together. The relationship between sovereignty and political power is one of mutual reinforcement. The sovereign derives its authority from the people it governs, who grant it the power to act on their behalf. In return, the sovereign's exercise of power helps to maintain the legitimacy and stability of the political order. By embodying the will of the community, the sovereign ensures that decisions are made in the interest of the common good, rather than the narrow interests of individuals or groups. At the same time, sovereignty is not unlimited or arbitrary. The sovereign's power is constrained by the norms and values of the political community, as well as by the need to maintain its own legitimacy. In this sense, sovereignty is a delicate balance between authority and responsibility, between power and accountability. The sovereign must exercise its power wisely and judiciously, in order to preserve the trust and support of the people it governs. In the end, sovereignty is the key to political power because it represents the ultimate source of authority within a political community. Without sovereignty, there can be no effective exercise of political power, no coherent way to make decisions that bind the members of the community together. The concept of sovereignty is essential for understanding the nature of political power and the role of the sovereign in shaping the destiny of the political community.
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