Sovereignty

Sovereignty refers to the supreme, ultimate authority of a state to govern its territory and people without external interference. The concept emerged with the development of the modern state and was reinforced by the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, which emphasized territorial integrity and non-intervention in internal affairs.

Sovereignty is often analyzed along two dimensions. Internal sovereignty denotes the monopoly on the legitimate use of force, lawmaking, taxation, and public administration within a defined territory. External sovereignty concerns independence in foreign relations and the capacity to enter into relations with other states and to participate in international law and diplomacy.

Legal status is shaped by international norms and is often assessed through statehood criteria such as a permanent population, defined territory, effective government, and the capacity to engage in international relations, as described in the Montevideo Convention. External recognition by other states and acceptance within international organizations also play important roles.

Sovereignty is not absolute. International law, treaties, and customary norms limit state discretion, and some powers are exercised collaboratively or hierarchically within regional or global frameworks. Federations and unions may allocate or pool authority, while non-state actors and global challenges—such as human rights standards, economic interdependence, and humanitarian concerns—create pressures on traditional sovereignty.

Contemporary debates address self-determination, secession, and autonomy within states, as well as the impact of globalization and regional unions on state autonomy. Despite these tensions, sovereignty remains a central organizing principle of international relations and domestic governance.