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Imperial Dignity to Princely Autonomy: a historical-philosophical study on the evolution and meaning of sovereignty in the Holy Roman Empire

Reimers, Robin LU (2021) EUHK30 20211
European Studies
Abstract
This thesis conducts a study in conceptual history into the meaning of sovereignty within the Holy Roman Empire, a European political institution of states that lasted from 962 to 1806 AD. Three classical theorists in sovereignty, namely Jean Bodin, Thomas Hobbes, and Samuel von Pufendorf comprehend the main philosophical corps of the thesis, which will be operationalised by studying three constitutional documents from the Holy Roman Empire: the Golden Bull, the Treaty of Osnabrück, and the Treaty of Münster. It is concluded that a significant detraction took place within these three centuries: the mantle of an ‘imperial dignity,’ the joint sovereignty of the Emperor and the Prince-Electors, was abandoned in favour of particularist... (More)
This thesis conducts a study in conceptual history into the meaning of sovereignty within the Holy Roman Empire, a European political institution of states that lasted from 962 to 1806 AD. Three classical theorists in sovereignty, namely Jean Bodin, Thomas Hobbes, and Samuel von Pufendorf comprehend the main philosophical corps of the thesis, which will be operationalised by studying three constitutional documents from the Holy Roman Empire: the Golden Bull, the Treaty of Osnabrück, and the Treaty of Münster. It is concluded that a significant detraction took place within these three centuries: the mantle of an ‘imperial dignity,’ the joint sovereignty of the Emperor and the Prince-Electors, was abandoned in favour of particularist sentiment of national sovereignty, which can be explained by advances in philosophical thought and changes in international norms. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Reimers, Robin LU
supervisor
organization
course
EUHK30 20211
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Sovereignty, political philosophy, Holy Roman Empire, Golden Bull, Westphalia, political theory, European Studies
language
English
id
9054064
date added to LUP
2021-06-14 14:50:59
date last changed
2021-06-14 14:50:59
@misc{9054064,
  abstract     = {{This thesis conducts a study in conceptual history into the meaning of sovereignty within the Holy Roman Empire, a European political institution of states that lasted from 962 to 1806 AD. Three classical theorists in sovereignty, namely Jean Bodin, Thomas Hobbes, and Samuel von Pufendorf comprehend the main philosophical corps of the thesis, which will be operationalised by studying three constitutional documents from the Holy Roman Empire: the Golden Bull, the Treaty of Osnabrück, and the Treaty of Münster. It is concluded that a significant detraction took place within these three centuries: the mantle of an ‘imperial dignity,’ the joint sovereignty of the Emperor and the Prince-Electors, was abandoned in favour of particularist sentiment of national sovereignty, which can be explained by advances in philosophical thought and changes in international norms.}},
  author       = {{Reimers, Robin}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Imperial Dignity to Princely Autonomy: a historical-philosophical study on the evolution and meaning of sovereignty in the Holy Roman Empire}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}