CHAPTER XILOCATION OF SOVEREIGNTY IN THE BODY POLITIC

Abstract

The reader is offered a translation of a chapter in the book “The Nature of the State” by Westel Woodbury Willoughby (1867-1945) - Doctor of Philosophy, a graduate of Johns Hopkins University, the founder of the Department of Political Science (at the same university). W. Willoughby is considered as a founder of American political science. In the chapter presented, Willoughby discusses the problem of sovereignty, which determines political power. The American political scientist makes a crucial comment that, strictly speaking, public opinion is not a civil power. Another remark also deserves interest: until a people become politically organized, there is no sovereignty. Sovereignty comes from the State and belongs to a political community.