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Sovereignty

Legal and political independence of a state.

sovereign power national authority

The concept of sovereignty refers to the full authority and power held by a state or government within its own territory, free from external control. It encompasses legal and political independence, allowing a nation to govern itself without interference from other states or entities.

Etymology

Sovereignty comes from the Old French word 'soverainete', meaning ‘supreme authority’.

Explain Like I’m 5

Sovereignty means a country has the power to make its own rules and decisions without being controlled by other countries.

Fun Facts

The concept of sovereignty developed in Europe during the late Middle Ages
It's a key principle in international law
The Montevideo Convention defines sovereignty as the effective control of territory

FAQ

What does sovereignty mean? It means a country has supreme power within its own borders
How is sovereignty established? Typically through recognition by other states and control over territory
Can a country lose sovereignty? Yes, through conquest or agreement

Hypernyms — Broader Categories

political power statehood

Hyponyms — Specific Examples

national sovereignty parliamentary sovereignty

Holonyms — Wholes or Groups

international relations government

Indexes

international relations legal concept political concept

Related

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