Sovereignty - Concepts in social thought 1st edition

Why is the concept of sovereignty so confusing? What is the basis for challenges to state sovereignty from those supporting democracy, feminism and postmodernism? Can individuals rather than states possess sovereignty? Sovereignty is an idea which mystifies politicians, the public and academics. It is impossible to define - as long as we link it to the state. For states are absurd institutions, claiming a monopoly of legitimate force that they do not and cannot possess. To make sense of sovereignty, we have to detach it from the state. The definition of sovereignty as the power of the state has been challenged by democrats, feminists and postmodernists, but it is not enough to criticize state sovereignty. In this lively and accessible text, John Hoffman sets out a practical alternative. He identifies sovereignty with individuals rather than states, and shows how a concept of sovereignty which goes beyond the state requires the complete overhaul of our understanding of individual action.