Table Of Content“Stephen Bronner has been an important critical voice on the American
political scene for the past few decades. Here, in his book The Sovereign,
Bronner provides an original and provocative set of views on this urgent
topic—especially topical owing to its clear focus on such pressing issues
as immigration, refugees, populism, transnational power, and the fate of
democracy not only in the United States but around the world.As usual,
Bronner presents his work in a style accessible to both an academic and
general readership.The book is highly recommended for anyone inter
ested in the special challenges facing contemporary American politics.”
—Carl Boggs, Professor of Social Sciences, National University, author of
Fascism Old and New and Origins of the Warfare State
“In a time of democratic deficit and the emergence of a new authori
tarian populism, Bronner has written a timely book about the nature of
political power that can help us find clarity and critical judgment. He
provides us with an incisive political critique of the reactionary forms of
power and authority that are on the rise while at the same time pointing
us toward a cosmopolitan, democratic alternative that can inspire social
transformation and offer principles for a more democratic politics yet to
be realized.”
—Michael J.Thompson, Professor of Political Science,
William Paterson University
“In his latest book, political theorist Stephen Bronner problematizes the
traditional assumptions of ‘sovereignty’ as unable to stand up to the chal
lenges of our time. In doing so, Bronner posits the idea of ‘cosmopoli
tan sovereignty’ as an intellectual exercise in envisioning the traditional
boundaries of power, state sovereignty, and democracy to account for the
recent socio-political trends with a particular focus on hate, bigotry, and
identity politics.This is a critical work that addresses some of the vital
questions that plague our time, which will benefit students and anyone
curious about these trends and how they can be overcome.”
—Dalia F. Fahmy,Associate Professor, Department of Political Science,
Long Island University-Brooklyn
THE SOVEREIGN
Sovereignty is among the most important phenomena for making sense of political
life. But there are many mistaken assumptions associated with the concept.This
book provides a new and somewhat unorthodox interpretation of it from the
standpoint of a theory of practice.
The Sovereign responds to pressing political issues of our time, like immigration
and refugees, transnationalism and populism, the prospects for democracy, and the
relationship between civil society and the state.The chapters trace the concept of
sovereignty from its origins in political theory, providing perspective and insights
that leave the reader with a phenomenological sketch of the sovereign. Bronner
transforms our ideas about political power, what it is, how it has been used, and
how it can be used. His new theory of sovereignty concludes with twenty-five
provocative theses on the sovereign’s role in modern capitalist society.
The Sovereign is a novel and unparalleled overview of a crucial concept by an
influential thinker. It is especially and particularly recommended to scholars and
students of comparative politics, international relations, contemporary political
theory, and the wider general public.
Stephen Eric Bronner is Board of Governors Professor (Emeritus) of Politi
cal Science at Rutgers University. Co-Director of the International Council for
Diplomacy and Dialogue, Director of Global Relations at the Center for the
Study of Genocide and Human Rights at Rutgers, he has taken part in missions
of civic diplomacy in Darfur, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, and elsewhere. Professor
Bronner’s writings have been translated into more than a dozen languages, and he
has been the recipient of many awards, including the 2011 MEPeace Prize from
the Middle East Political Network based in Jerusalem.
THE SOVEREIGN
Stephen Eric Bronner
First published 2020
by Routledge
52 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York, NY 10017
and by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park,Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2020 Taylor & Francis
The right of Stephen Eric Bronner to be identified as author of this work
has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or
utilized in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now
known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in
any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing
from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or reg
istered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation
without intent to infringe.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Bronner, Stephen Eric, 1949- author.
Title:The sovereign / Stephen Eric Bronner.
Description: New York, NY : Routledge, 2020. | Includes bibliographical
references and index. |
Identifiers: LCCN 2020009299 (print) | LCCN 2020009300 (ebook) |
ISBN 9780367495817 (hardback) | ISBN 9780367495763 (paperback) |
ISBN 9781003046714 (ebook) | ISBN 9781000090161 (adobe pdf) |
ISBN 9781000090376 (mobi) | ISBN 9781000090581 (epub)
Subjects: LCSH: Sovereignty. | Heads of state. | Executive power. |
Capitalism–Political aspects.
Classification: LCC JC327 .B748 2020 (print) | LCC JC327 (ebook) |
DDC 320.1/5–dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020009299
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020009300
ISBN: 978-0-367-49581-7 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-0-367-49576-3 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-003-04671-4 (ebk)
Typeset in Bembo
by Wearset Ltd, Boldon, Tyne and Wear
To Igor Kotler—A true friend
CONTENTS
Acknowledgments xi
Preface: The Sovereign Today xii
Introduction:Terms and Conditions 1
PART I
Origins 9
1 Roots 11
2 Imperial Designs 19
3 Principles and Interests 28
PART II
Authoritarians and Authority 35
4 The Sovereign’s Will 37
5 Gangster Sovereigns 45
6 Genocidal Sovereigns 52
7 Sovereign Judgments 60
