Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Sovereignty refers to the supreme authority and power of a state to govern itself without interference from external forces.
Related terms
Nation-state: A nation-state is a political entity where the boundaries of a nation (a group of people with shared characteristics) align with the boundaries of a state.
Autonomy refers to the ability of a region or group within a country to self-govern and make decisions independently.
Supranationalism: Supranationalism is when multiple states voluntarily come together and delegate some powers to an international organization, such as the European Union.