3 C. Characteristics (the classical seven — with modern qualifications)

CharacteristicClassical claimModern qualificationPermanenceSovereignty lasts as long as the state✓ survives changes of governmentIndivisibilityCannot be shared without being destroyedfederalism divides powers, not sovereignty (but the EU genuinely pools it)UniversalityExtends to all persons and things in the territorydiplomats, immunities, human rightsInalienabilityThe state cannot surrender ittreaties bind by consent — pacta sunt servanda (but withdrawal/exit exists)AbsolutenessLegally unlimitedconstitutions, judicial review, international law limit the government, if not the "sovereign"OriginalityNot derived from any other powerpopular sovereignty: derived from the peopleImprescriptibilityCannot lapse by disusefailed states show it can collapse in fact