nationsovereignty

Nation sovereignty is the principle that a state has supreme authority within its territory and independence in external relations, covering both internal sovereignty (control of government, legislation, security, and resources) and external sovereignty (the state's legal personality under international law and its recognition by others).

Legal framework: International law affirms sovereignty as core; the Montevideo Convention (1933) lays out statehood criteria: permanent population, defined territory, government, and capacity to enter relations. Recognition by other states and membership in international organizations further define external sovereignty. The principle of non-intervention restricts interference in internal affairs.

Internal sovereignty entails jurisdiction to tax, legislate, adjudicate, and manage resources, while external sovereignty depends on recognition and treaty obligations, subject to obligations under international law, such as human rights, humanitarian law, and trade regimes. The doctrine of permanent sovereignty over natural resources asserts a state's right to regulate resources, especially in post-colonial contexts.

Contemporary issues: Globalization and regional integration challenge sovereignty by transferring powers to supranational bodies; cyber and data sovereignty address control of digital space; autonomy and secession movements test territorial integrity; decolonization continues to define sovereignty in formerly colonized regions. Sovereignty is increasingly seen as a framework for balancing national autonomy with international cooperation and rule-based order.