Sovereignty

Definition

Sovereignty is the supreme power or authority of a state to govern itself and make decisions independently without external interference. It is a fundamental concept in international law that establishes the right of a nation to exercise control over its territory and population.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sovereignty is the defining characteristic of a state, granting it the exclusive right to exercise supreme authority over its territory and population.
2. The principle of sovereignty is central to the modern international system, as it ensures the legal equality and independence of states.
3. Sovereign states have the exclusive right to make laws, levy taxes, maintain a military, and conduct foreign relations within their borders.
4. Sovereignty can be limited by international agreements, treaties, or organizations, but a state retains the ultimate decision-making power over its affairs.
5. The concept of sovereignty has evolved over time, with the emergence of new challenges such as globalization, human rights, and environmental concerns.

Review Questions

• Explain the significance of the principle of sovereignty in the context of international law.
  • The principle of sovereignty is a fundamental tenet of international law, as it establishes the legal equality and independence of states. Sovereignty grants a state the exclusive right to exercise supreme authority over its territory and population, including the ability to make laws, levy taxes, maintain a military, and conduct foreign relations. This principle is central to the modern international system, as it ensures that states have the ultimate decision-making power over their affairs, without external interference. However, sovereignty can be limited by international agreements, treaties, or organizations, reflecting the evolving nature of the concept in the face of emerging global challenges.
• Describe how the Westphalian System has influenced the concept of sovereignty in international law.
  • The Westphalian System, which emerged from the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, established the principle of the sovereign equality of states and the non-interference in the internal affairs of other states. This system has had a profound impact on the concept of sovereignty in international law. By recognizing the legal equality of states and their right to exercise supreme authority within their borders, the Westphalian System solidified the idea of sovereignty as a defining characteristic of a state. This principle has become a cornerstone of the modern international system, ensuring that states have the ultimate decision-making power over their affairs, while also limiting the ability of external actors to interfere in the internal matters of other states.
• Analyze how the evolving challenges of globalization, human rights, and environmental concerns have impacted the traditional notion of state sovereignty.
  • The traditional notion of state sovereignty has been challenged by the emergence of new global issues, such as globalization, human rights, and environmental concerns. Globalization has increased the interdependence of states, leading to a greater need for international cooperation and the erosion of absolute state control over their affairs. Similarly, the growing emphasis on universal human rights has placed limitations on the ability of states to exercise unfettered sovereignty, as they are now expected to uphold certain standards in their treatment of citizens. Furthermore, the transnational nature of environmental problems, such as climate change, has necessitated a more collaborative approach among states, further complicating the traditional understanding of sovereignty. As a result, the concept of sovereignty has evolved to accommodate these new challenges, with states increasingly recognizing the need to balance their sovereign rights with the collective responsibilities of the international community.

Related terms

International Law: The system of rules and principles that govern the relations between nations and states, establishing their rights, duties, and responsibilities.

Jurisdiction: The official power and authority of a court or government to make legal decisions and judgments within a defined area or over certain matters.

Westphalian System: The international system that emerged from the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, which established the principle of sovereign equality of states and the non-interference in the internal affairs of other states.