From Territory to Territoriality - A Study on the Concept of Territory of Social Contract Theorists and Foucault

Territory is a geographical concept; however, it also contains political denotation. Territory is considered as an integral part of sovereignty: a sovereign state must possess a geographical area on which the sovereign establishes its authority and exercises its power. However, has this close relationship between territory and sovereignty been existing since the first day sovereignty became a topic for political theorists? When does the concept of territory become an integral part of sovereignty? The puzzle requires an answer that establishes a historical connection between territory and sovereignty. How it has evolved to be an essential institution in our understanding of sovereignty is the question this paper will answer