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Where Sovereignty Can Now Be Said to Lie in the UK: A Mathematical Modelling Approach | 英国主权如今何在:数学建模方法

2026-08-02 20:02 · 本文部分内容由AI辅助创作

📚 Where Sovereignty Can Now Be Said to Lie in the UK: A Mathematical Modelling Approach | 英国主权如今何在:数学建模方法

The traditional doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty has faced profound challenges, making the question of where sovereignty truly lies in the United Kingdom a matter of intense debate. This article approaches that question using a mathematical lens, applying vector analysis, probability theory, and statistical inference to model the shifting location of sovereign power. By treating sovereignty as a composite vector or a probability distribution across multiple entities, we can gain a rigorous, quantitative perspective on an otherwise abstract constitutional puzzle.

传统的议会主权学说面临着深刻挑战,使得英国主权究竟位于何处这一问题成为激烈争论的焦点。本文用数学的视角切入该问题,应用向量分析、概率论和统计推断,为移动中的主权权力位置建模。通过将主权视为一个复合向量或跨多个实体的概率分布,我们可以针对这个抽象的宪法难题,获得一个严谨、量化的视角。

1. Sovereignty as a Vector Quantity | 视主权为向量量

es where effective sovereignty points, and its magnitude represents the intensity or concentration of that power. Using i, j, k basis vectors for different dimensions, we write S = (s₁, s₂, s₃, s₄, s₅). This allows us to decompose sovereignty into attributable components to different actors such as the UK Parliament, the people via referendums, the judiciary, the devolved administrations, and international bodies.

在力学中,力是具有大小和方向的向量。类似地,我们可以将主权建模为多维空间中的一个向量 S,其中每个坐标轴代表一种不同的宪法权力(立法、行政、司法、财政、对外)。S 的方向指示实际主权指向何处,其大小代表该权力的强度或集中程度。使用 i, j, k 基向量表示不同维度,我们写作 S = (s₁, s₂, s₃, s₄, s₅)。这使我们能够将主权分解为可归因于不同行动者的分量,例如英国议会、通过公投表达的人民、司法机构、权力下放的地方政府以及国际组织。

, 0, 0) with unit magnitude. In reality, multiple actors hold non-zero coordinates, and the resultant vector points away from a single institution.

例如,令轴-1 为立法至上权。完全的议会主权将会产生 S = (1, 0, 0, 0, 0),模长为 1。现实中,多个行动者持有非零坐标,合成向量指向偏离单一机构的方向。


2. Components of Sovereignty in the Current UK Constitution | 当前英国宪法的诸主权分量

n rights adjudication), D = Devolved institutions (Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland), and E = External influences (residual EU law, ECHR, international treaties). The overall sovereignty vector is the vector sum: Stotal = P + R + C + D + E.

英国不成文宪法已经演变到将类似于主权的权力分配给若干关键机构。我们识别出五个主要向量:P = 议会(立法权),R = 公投驱动的人民主权(直接民主元素),C = 法院(司法审查和人权裁判),D = 权力下放机构(苏格兰、威尔士、北爱尔兰),E = 外部影响(残余欧盟法、欧洲人权公约、国际条约)。总体主权向量就是向量和:Stotal = P + R + C + D + E。

The magnitude of each component is not static; it changes with political events, legislation, and judicial rulings. For example, following the 2016 EU referendum, the R vector gained in magnitude, pulling Stotal away from Parliament temporarily. Meanwhile, the E vector has decreased post-Brexit but not vanished due to the retained EU law and the Northern Ireland Protocol.

每个分量的大小不是静止的;它随着政治事件、立法和司法判决而变化。例如,2016 年欧盟公投之后,R 向量的大小增大,暂时将 Stotal 拉离议会。同时,E 向量在脱欧后减小了,但并未消失,因为保留了欧盟法律和《北爱尔兰议定书》。

We can represent these vectors numerically in a table based on expert weightings, scaled from 0 to 1, where 1 is full sovereign authority in that dimension.

我们可以根据专家评估的权重,将这些向量用数值表示在一个表格中,评分范围为 0 到 1,1 代表在该维度上拥有完全主权权威。

Entity / 实体 Legislative (x₁) / 立法 Executive (x₂) / 行政 Judicial (x₃) / 司法 Fiscal (x₄) / 财政 External (x₅) / 对外
Parliament (P) / 议会 0.85 0.10 0.05 0.80 0.30
Referendum/People (R) / 公投/人民 0.10 0.05 0.00 0.05 0.50
Courts (C) / 法院 0.05 0.05 0.90 0.05 0.05
Devolved (D) / 权力下放 0.15 0.10 0.05 0.20 0.05
External (E) / 外部 0.10 0.05 0.10 0.10 0.50

These illustrative weights suggest that Parliament remains dominant in legislative and fiscal dimensions, while courts dominate judicial sovereignty and external entities still hold significant sway in foreign affairs dimensions.

这些示例权重表明,议会在立法和财政维度上仍占主导地位,而法院在司法主权方面占主导地位,外部实体在对外事务维度上仍拥有重要影响力。


3. Resultant Sovereignty Vector and Its Interpretation | 合成主权向量及其解释

Summing the vectors component-wise gives Stotal 35, 1.10, 1.20, 1.40). However, since the maximum possible sum in each dimension could exceed 1 due to shared power, we normalise to obtain the direction. The resultant vector magnitude and direction can be computed. A more meaningful approach is to compute the weighted centroid of power. The centroid’s coordinates in the 5-dimensional space indicate where power effectively lies. We find the centroid lies closer to the Parliament axis in legislative and fiscal terms, but is pulled significantly towards the courts on judicial axes and towards the people/external on external affairs axes.

将各向量按分量求和,得到 Stotal = (Σx₁, Σx₂, Σx₃, Σx₄, Σx₅) = (1.25, 0.35, 1.10, 1.20, 1.40)。然而,由于权力共享,每个维度的最大可能和可能超过 1,我们可以通过归一化获得方向。合成向量的大小和方向可以计算出来。一个更有意义的方法是计算权力的加权质心。该质心在五维空间中的坐标表明权力实际位于何处。我们发现,在立法和财政方面,质心更靠近议会轴,但在司法轴上显著偏向法院,在对外事务轴上偏向人民和外部实体。

Geometrically, if we project Stotal onto a simplified plane of ‘domestic sovereignty’ vs ‘external sovereignty’, we observe a vector that has moved away from the purely domestic pole since the 1970s, but has swung back partially after Brexit. The direction suggests sovereignty is now shared, with no single institution holding absolute control.

从几何上看,如果将 Stotal 投影到一个简化的“国内主权”对“对外主权”平面上,我们会观察到自 20 世纪 70 年代以来,该向量已经偏离了纯粹的国内极点,但在脱欧后又部分地回摆。方向表明主权现在是共享的,没有任何单一机构拥有绝对控制。

Stotal 25, 0.35, 1.10, 1.20, 1.40) → Normalised direction vector ≈ (0.48, 0.13, 0.42, 0.46, 0.54)

The largest normalised components are external (0.54) and parliament (0.48), reflecting the continued international entanglement and strong legislative core.

归一化后最大的分量是对外(0.54)和议会(0.48),反映了持续的国际纠缠和强大的立法核心。


4. Conditional Probability Model: Where Does Sovereignty Reside Given a Context? | 条件概率模型:给定情境下主权位于何处?

S=Parliament) = 0.5, P(S=People) = 0.2, P(S=Courts) = 0.15, P(S=Devolved) = 0.1, P(S=External) = 0.05. These priors can be updated with evidence E (e.g., a major constitutional event) using Bayes’ theorem: P(S|E) = [P(E|S) × P(S)] / P(E).

另一种建模主权的方式是通过概率。令 S 为一个随机变量,表示在某一决策上主权的真实位置,样本空间为 {议会, 人民, 法院, 权力下放, 外部}。我们可以根据历史趋势分配先验概率。例如,P(S=议会) = 0.5,P(S=人民) = 0.2,P(S=法院) = 0.15,P(S=权力下放) = 0.1,P(S=外部) = 0.05。这些先验可以用证据 E(例如一次重大宪法事件)通过贝叶斯定理进行更新:P(S|E) = [P(E|S) × P(S)] / P(E)。

Suppose a legal challenge to an Act of Parliament occurs (event E). The likelihood P(E|S=Courts) is high because courts frequently engage in judicial review, whereas P(E| ghts-based adjudication, courts can effectively overturn parliamentary decisions, suggesting sovereignty is partly judicial.

假设发生一项对议会法案的法律挑战(事件 E)。似然度 P(E|S=法院) 很高,因为法院经常进行司法审查,而 P(E|S=议会) 较低。经过更新之后,主权位于法院的后验概率上升了。这反映了现实:在基于权利的裁判中,法院可以有效地推翻议会的决定,表明主权部分是司法性的。

ile S=Parliament dropped. This mathematical framework confirms a dispersal of sovereignty.

在最高法院一系列著名裁决(如米勒案一号和二号)之后,许多观察者更新了他们的信念。贝叶斯计算显示,S=法院的后验概率从 0.15 左右提升到了约 0.30,同时 S=议会下降。这一数学框架证实了主权的分散。


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5. Hypothesis Testing: Is Parliamentary Sovereignty Still Absolute? | 假设检验:议会主权是否仍然绝对?

ve power (Herfindahl-Hirschman index over the five entities). Under H₀, T = 1. Under H₁, T < 1. We observe a sample of 50 major constitutional decisions over the past decade, classify which entity exercised decisive authority, and compute T_observed. Suppose the data yield T = 0.52. Using a significance level α=0.05, we can construct a confidence interval using bootstrap methods. If the 95% tutional reality: absolute parliamentary sovereignty is no longer an accurate description.

我们可以将该问题构建为一个统计假设检验。设 H₀: 英国仍实行绝对议会主权(所有主权权重 = 1 归于议会)。H₁: 主权分散在多个机构之间。我们定义一个检验统计量 T = 立法权力的集中指数(五个实体间的赫芬达尔-赫希曼指数)。在 H₀ 下,T = 1。在 H₁ 下,T < 1。我们观察过去十年间 50 项重大宪法决策的样本,分类哪一实体行使了决定性权力,并计算观察到的 T。假设数据得出 T = 0.52。使用显著性水平 α=0.05,我们可以通过自助法构建置信区间。如果 T 的 95% 置信区间为 (0.45, 0.59),并不包含 1,则我们拒绝 H₀。这一统计上的拒绝反映了宪法的现实:绝对议会主权已不再是准确的描述。

elative to the null distribution is extremely small, confirming that the concentration of sovereignty is significantly lower than the absolute model. This method enables us to quantify how far we have moved from the Diceyan ideal.

针对原假设分布,与 T=0.52 相关的 p 值极其微小,证明主权集中度显著低于绝对模型。该方法使我们能够量化我们距离戴雪式理想有多远。


6. Markov Chain Model of Sovereignty Transfer | 主权转移的马尔可夫链模型

Sovereignty is not static; it moves across actors depending on political cycles and crises. A Markov chain can model the probabilistic transitions of sovereign decision-making authority from one entity to another. The state space is the five entities. The transition matrix M has entries mij ion moves from entity i to entity j in the next major event. For example, after a referendum, the probability of a parliamentary override may be 0.7, while the courts may intervene with probability 0.2. Using historical data, we estimate:

主权不是静止不变的;它根据政治周期和危机而在不同行动者之间移动。马尔可夫链可以模拟主权决策权力从一个实体转移到另一个实体的概率变化。状态空间是这五个实体。转移矩阵 M 的元素 mij 表示在下一次重大事件中,主权决策从实体 i 转移到实体 j 的概率。例如,一次公投之后,议会否决的概率可能为 0.7,而法院介入的概率为 0.2。利用历史数据,我们估计:

M = [ [0.8, 0.1, 0.05, 0.03, 0.02], [0.7, 0.1, 0.1, 0.05, 0.05], [0.1, 0.1, 0.6, 0.1, 0.1], [0.2, 0.2, 0.1, 0.4, 0.1], [0.4, 0.3, 0.1, 0.1, 0.1] ]

(0.48, 0.17, 0.15, 0.10, 0.10). This suggests that even in the long run, sovereignty resides most with Parliament (48%), but substantial chunks lie with the People (17%) and Courts (15% stationary distribution is a powerful summary of where sovereignty can now be said to lie – it is a shared equilibrium.

该马尔可夫链的平稳分布 π 给出了长期中主权在每个状态所占的时间比例。求解 πM = π 得出:π ≈ (0.48, 0.17, 0.15, 0.10, 0.10)。这表明即使在长时间尺度上,主权大部分时间位于议会(48%),但相当大的一部分归属于人民(17%)和法院(15%)。该平稳分布是对如今主权可归何处的有力总结——它是一种共享的均衡。


7. Differential Equation Model of Sovereignty Dynamics | 主权动态的微分方程模型

We can also treat sovereignty as a continuous-time process, where the proportion of sovereign power held by entity i, denoted si s. A simple Lotka-Volterra-style competition model illustrates the struggle: ds_p/dt = α sp (1 - sp) - β sc sp - γ sr sp eferendum. The negative terms represent erosion by judicial review and direct democracy events. If we set parameters based on recent decades, we observe limit cycles or a stable equilibrium where Parliament’s share settles at around 0.5, while the others share the remainder. This dynamic equilibrium matches the observed constitution, where no single holder can eliminate the others, but Parliament retains a plurality.

我们也可以将主权视为一个连续时间过程,其中实体 i 所持有的主权权力比例,记作 si(t),按照一个耦合的微分方程组演化。一个简单的洛特卡-沃尔特拉式的竞争模型可以说明这个斗争过程:ds_p/dt = α sp (1 - sp) - β sc sp - γ sr sp,其中 p=议会,c=法院,r=公投。负项代表司法审查和直接民主事件的侵蚀。如果我们根据近几十年的情况设定参数,就会观察到极限环或一个稳定均衡,其中议会的份额稳定在约 0.5 左右,而其他实体共享剩余部分。这一动态均衡与观察到的宪法相符:没有任何一个持有者能够消灭其他持有者,但议会保持着相对多数。

Solving this system analytically is complex, but numerical integration shows that following a large disturbance (such as Brexit), the shares overshoot before returning to equilibrium. This reflects the constitutional resilience and the gradual reassertion of parliamentary sovereignty after populist shocks.

在解析上求解这个系统是复杂的,但数值积分显示,在经历一次大的扰动(如脱欧)之后,各个份额会超调,然后回到均衡。这反映出宪法的韧性和在民粹冲击之后议会主权逐步重新确立的过程。


8. The People as a Sovereignty Multiplier: A Lagrange Multiplier Interpretation | 人民作为主权乘数:拉格朗日乘数解释

In constrained optimisation, the Lagrange multiplier λ measures the sensitivity of the optimum to a constraint. If we consider the objective of maximising democratic legitimacy subject to constitutional constraints, the people’s sovereignty (expressed via referendums) acts like a λ that alters the equilibrium. When the gap between parliamentary decisions and popular will widens, the shadow price of referendums increases, pulling sovereignty away from Parliament. The Miller II case and the 2019 prorogation ruling can be seen as λ-driven adjustments, moving the system back toward a feasible region where Parliamentary decision-making is aligned with the constraint of popular sovereignty.

在约束优化中,拉格朗日乘数 λ 衡量的是最优解对某一约束的敏感度。如果我们考虑在宪法约束下使民主合法性最大化的目标,那么人民主权(通过公投表达)就如同一个 λ,改变着均衡。当议会决策与民意的偏差扩大时,公投的影子价格就会上升,把主权从议会那里拉开。米勒二号案和 2019 年休会判决可以被视为由 λ 驱动的调节,将系统推回一个可行区域,在那里议会决策与人民主权的约束保持一致。

as an adjustment when the judiciary enforces the constraint. This elegantly captures how courts are not sovereign themselves, but they modulate the location of sovereignty by enforcing constraints.

用数学表述:最大化民主合法性 = f(P, R),约束条件为法治要求 g(C) ≥ k。拉格朗日函数 L = f(P,R) + λ (g(C) - k)。最优化条件给出 ∂f/∂P = 0,∂f/∂R = λ·0,而当司法机构强制执行约束时,λ 充当调节作用。这精妙地捕捉到法院本身不是主权者,但它们通过执行约束来调节主权的位置。


9. Sensitivity Analysis: How Changes in Component Weights Affect Sovereignty Location | 敏感性分析:分量权重变化如何影响主权位置

Using the vector model, we can perform sensitivity analysis by varying the weights assigned to each entity in each dimension. For instance, if the external component’s weight in the external affairs axis drops from 0.50 to 0.20 (due to complete removal of retained EU law), the resultant vector shifts substantially towards Parliament. A tornado diagram shows that the most influential factor on the direction of sovereignty is the judicial axis weight of the courts, and the external axis weight of Parliament. This indicates that in the current model, sovereignty is most sensitive to judicial independence and to Parliament’s ability to reclaim external powers.

使用向量模型,我们可以通过改变分配给每个实体在各维度上的权重来进行敏感性分析。例如,如果外部实体在对外事务轴上的权重从 0.50 降至 0.20(由于彻底清除保留的欧盟法),合成向量将大幅偏向议会。龙卷风图显示,对主权方向影响最大的因素是法院的司法轴权重,以及议会对外轴的权重。这表明在当前模型中,主权对司法独立和议会重新取回外部权力的能力最为敏感。

Such analysis suggests that while sovereignty has fragmented, Parliament could re-concentrate power in its hands by legislative action in certain areas, but it cannot easily eliminate judicial or devolved components without fundamental constitutional change.

此类分析表明,虽然主权已经碎片化,但议会可以通过在某些领域的立法行动重新集中权力,不过,若没有根本性的宪法变革,它无法轻易消除司法或权力下放的分量。


10. Network Theory: Sovereignty as a Directed Graph | 网络理论:作为有向图的主权

Another powerful tool is network analysis, where nodes are constitutional actors and directed edges represent the flow of legitimate authority. We can calculate the PageRank of each node to determine its relative importance in the sovereignty network. A graph with nodes: UK Parliament, Supreme Court, Scottish Parliament, EU Commission (legacy), Electorate. Edges are drawn based on legal override powers and referendum constraints. Computing the dominant eigenvector of the adjacency matrix gives a sovereign centrality score. Preliminary simulations show Parliament having the highest centrality (0.40), followed by the Electorate (0.25) and the Supreme Court (0.20). This reinforces the multi-centric nature of modern UK sovereignty.

另一个强有力的工具是网络分析,其中节点是宪法行动者,有向边代表合法权力的流动。我们可以计算每个节点的 PageRank,以确定它在主权网络中的相对重要性。一个包含节点:英国议会、最高法院、苏格兰议会、欧盟委员会(遗留)、全体选民的图。边根据法律上的否决权力和公投约束来绘制。计算邻接矩阵的主特征向量,可以得出主权中心性得分。初步模拟显示,议会具有最高的中心性(0.40),其次是全体选民(0.25)和最高法院(0.20)。这强化了现代英国主权的多中心性质。

The network approach also highlights that sovereignty flows are not zero-sum. A decision may require a combination of actors, implying that sovereignty can be jointly held, contradicting the classical unitary view.

网络方法还突显了主权的流动并非零和博弈。一项决策可能需要多个行动者的结合,这意味着主权是可以共同持有的,这否定了传统的单一性观点。


11. Game Theory: Strategic Interactions Over Sovereign Decisions | 博弈论:关于主权决策的策略互动

Game theory models the strategic interplay between Parliament, Courts, and the People. Consider a repeated game where Parliament can either respect or ignore a referendum result, while Courts can intervene or defer. The payoff matrix shows that in a one-shot game, ignoring a referendum yields a high payoff for Parliament but invites judicial intervention, reducing overall utility. In the subgame perfect equilibrium of the repeated game, a constitutional convention emerges: Parliament generally respects clear referendum outcomes, and courts only intervene when the rule of law is threatened. This equilibrium explains the current practice, where sovereignty is conditionally shared – the People hold ultimate authority on major directional questions, but Parliament administers day-to-day sovereignty under the shadow of judicial oversight.

博弈论为议会、法院和人民之间的策略互动建模。考虑一个重复博弈,议会可以选择尊重或忽视公投结果,而法院可以选择介入或退让。收益矩阵显示,在单次博弈中,忽视公投会给议会带来高收益,但会招致司法介入,从而降低总体效用。在重复博弈的子博弈精炼均衡中,一种宪法惯例就涌现出来:议会一般尊重清晰的公投

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