Ennobling Sovereignty

Everyone has sovereignty over their own life. The Mature King respects others' right to make their own choices, even when he disagrees with those choices. Supporting sovereignty means honoring people's autonomy while also holding them accountable for their decisions.

The Tyrant violates others' sovereignty constantly—he tries to control how people think, feel, and act. He sees others as extensions of himself rather than autonomous beings. The Victim has no sense of his own sovereignty and doesn't recognize it in others. The Mature King claims his own sovereignty while protecting others' right to theirs.

Supporting sovereignty requires several commitments:

Respecting boundaries: The King honors the limits others set, even when he wishes they would choose differently. He doesn't push past "no."

Allowing choices: The King lets people make their own decisions about their lives. He offers counsel when asked but doesn't impose his will.

Accepting differences: The King tolerates that others have different values, priorities, and ways of living. He doesn't need everyone to be like him.

Refusing rescue: The King doesn't save people from the consequences of their choices. He allows them to learn from experience.

Protecting rights: The King defends others' right to self-determination, even when their choices make him uncomfortable.

Modeling sovereignty: The King demonstrates what healthy sovereignty looks like by claiming his own while respecting others'.

Supporting sovereignty doesn't mean accepting harm or abuse. The King protects his boundaries and leaves relationships that don't serve him while still respecting others' right to make their own choices.

The King who supports sovereignty creates a realm of free people who choose to be there rather than subjects who must obey.