Fullveldi

Fullveldi is a term used in Icelandic and other Nordic languages that translates to full sovereignty in English. It refers to the status of a state attaining full political independence and the supreme authority to govern its territory and external relations.

In international law, full sovereignty encompasses both internal sovereignty (control over constitutions, laws, police forces, and administration within the territory) and external sovereignty (the capacity to enter into treaties, accredit diplomats, defend borders, and participate in international organizations). The concept is central to debates about decolonization, autonomy, and state-building, and is often used to distinguish between states that are wholly independent and those with limited autonomy or external oversight.

In practice, a state is typically considered to have fullveldi when it meets widely accepted criteria of statehood, such as a permanent population, defined territory, effective government, and capacity to interact as a subject of international law, as described in the Montevideo Convention. Nonetheless, even fully sovereign states may be bound by international commitments, regional integrations, or treaty obligations that limit certain actions.

The term is commonly found in Nordic political discourse and in discussions of national histories. In Icelandic history, fullveldi has been used to describe the process toward full independence from external control and its completion as a fully sovereign republic. Similar concepts appear in other languages where the term relates to the status of a nation-state, autonomous region, or decolonized territory.