sovereignty
SOV-rin-tee
/ˈsɒv.rɪn.ti/
Supreme power, authority, or ultimate jurisdiction within a defined territory or political body.
Represents complete self-governing authority free from external interference or higher control.
The story behind the word. Traced back to Latin 'super' (above). The modern concept was developed by 16th-century philosopher Jean Bodin to argue for centralized monarchical authority during the French Wars of Religion.
Word relationships
- autonomy: Autonomy is self-governance in specific areas, whereas sovereignty is complete, supreme power without higher authority.
- jurisdiction: Jurisdiction refers to legal authority to make decisions, whereas sovereignty encompasses overall supreme power.
- subjugation: Subjugation is the state of being under complete external control or conquest.
- dependency: Dependency is reliance on or governance by an external sovereign nation.
Commonly confused with
- autonomy: Sovereignty is absolute supreme authority; autonomy is self-rule granted within an overarching framework.
Word family
- sovereign (adjective): Possessing supreme power or independent authority.
Collocations
- national sovereignty
- violation of sovereignty
- infringe on sovereignty
- popular sovereignty
Example sentences
- "Article 2 of the UN Charter emphasizes the fundamental principle of sovereign equality among all member nations." International Law
Memory hook
SOVEREIGNTY has 'REIGN' in it — the supreme authority to reign over a nation. Supreme power over a territory.
When not to use
Do not confuse with simple autonomy, which allows local management under an overarching sovereign.
Fun facts
- The Treaty of Westphalia in 1648 is considered the birth of the modern sovereign nation-state system.
Related words
Explore more words
sovereign, self-governing, autonomous, autonomy, independent, supremacy
Also appears in
- Leadership → Power & Dominance
- Law → Legal Systems & Constitutions
- Law → International Law & Treaties
- Philosophy → Justice & Political Philosophy
- Political Science & Governance → Geopolitics & International Relations
- Demographics & Urban Studies → Indigenous Populations
- Military Science & Warfare → Peacekeeping & UN Interventions
- Military Science & Warfare → Naval Warfare & Maritime Security
- Political Science & Governance → Regionalism & Decentralization
- Political Science & Governance → Federalism vs Unitary States
- Sociology & Social Anthropology → Tribal Communities & Integration
- Occasions, Holidays & Parties → National Independence Days
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