Sovereignty
Definition
Sovereignty refers to the supreme authority and power of a state to govern itself without interference from external forces.
Analogy
Think of sovereignty as being the captain of your own ship. Just like a captain has complete control over their ship, a sovereign state has full control over its own affairs.
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: 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.
"Sovereignty" appears in:
Study guides (3)
Practice Questions (4)
What does "sovereignty" refer to in the context of AP Comparative Government?
How do governments respond to the challenges of globalization on sovereignty?
What is one way governments can be affected when they lack sovereignty?
What implications can a lack of sovereignty have on a government's domestic policies?
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