Sovereignty is a political concept that refers to dominant power or supreme authority. It is one of the most controversial ideas in political science and international law. Sovereignty is essentially the power to make laws, even as Blackstone defined it. The term also carries implications of autonomy; to have sovereign power is to be beyond the power of others to interfere. Sovereignty has different types and characteristics, and its meaning has varied across history. Here are some key points about sovereignty in political science:

• Internal Sovereignty: This is the relationship between sovereign power and the political community. A central concern is legitimacy: by what right does a government exercise authority? Claims of legitimacy might refer to the divine right of kings, or to a social contract (i.e. popular sovereignty).

• External Sovereignty: This refers to the independence of a state in relation to other states. It is the right of a state to conduct its affairs without external interference.

• Legal Sovereignty: This refers to the highest legal power. Such a power is generally well-defined, constitutionally speaking, and often involves a monopoly on the use of force.

• Popular Sovereignty: This is the idea that the people are the ultimate source of power in a political system.

Sovereignty is a substantive term designating supreme legitimate authority over some polity. It is the distinguishing characteristic of the state, and the right to have absolute and unlimited power, either legal or political, within a territory of a state.