JEAN BODIN’S THEORY OF SOVEREIGNTY: AN ANALYSIS OF ITS ELEMENTS, CAUSES AND EFFECTS

Abstract

The aim of a happy and secure life in a community has led mankind to think about sovereignty and questions based on sovereignty since the day it has existed. In the pre-modern period, political structures based on sovereignty existed, but sovereignty in its present sense emerged with the birth of the modern state. The name that brought sovereignty to the field of political science is Jean Bodin. Bodin led to the development and influence of the concept of sovereignty both in theory and practice. He is regarded as the "father" of the theory of sovereignty as he paved the way for many thinkers who came after him. With today's developments, it is predicted that the concept of sovereignty will occupy the political science literature today and tomorrow. In order to understand and follow the development, erosion and transformation that will be experienced on the theory of sovereignty, it is necessary to know and understand Bodin's theory of sovereignty. Accordingly, this study aims to analyse Bodin's understanding of sovereignty in depth.

Keywords: Sovereign, Sovereignty, Sovereignty Theory, Jean Bodin