Sovranitet

Sovranitet is the supreme authority within a territory and the recognized independence of a political entity in international law. It encompasses internal sovereignty—the exclusive power to govern, legislate, and enforce order within borders—and external sovereignty—the capacity to act as an independent actor in world affairs and to be treated as such by other states.

Historically, sovereignty emerged in early modern political thought and became central to the Westphalian order after 1648, which emphasized territorial integrity and non-interference. The modern understanding was refined by theorists such as Bodin and Grotius, and later by practical criteria like those in the Montevideo Convention of 1933, which lists a permanent population, defined territory, government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states. External recognition by other states has long been a key dimension of sovereignty in practice.

In contemporary debates, sovereignty is exercised in a globalized context where regional blocs, international organizations, and international law can constrain or transform internal sovereign powers. Questions of humanitarian intervention, self-determination, secession, and binding international commitments illustrate that sovereignty is increasingly viewed as a bundle of rights and responsibilities rather than absolute autonomy. Recognition and legitimacy remain important for external sovereignty, while internal sovereignty concerns governance, rule of law, and the monopoly on the legitimate use of force within a state’s territory.