Sovereignty is a fundamental principle in international law and politics, denoting the supreme authority within a territory. At its core, sovereignty is the right of a state to govern itself without external interference. Historically, the concept originated in the peace treaties of Westphalia in 1648, which ended the Thirty Years' War in Europe and established the norms of national self-determination, territorial integrity, and non-intervention. These treaties laid the foundation for the modern state system, wherein each state is recognized as having absolute authority within its borders, a concept known as Westphalian sovereignty.
In legal terms, sovereignty is expressed through the capacity of a state to enact and enforce laws autonomously. Every sovereign state enjoys the legal rights to formulate its domestic policies and laws, control economic and fiscal matters, and regulate immigration. This legal autonomy is crucial for maintaining national security and public order. However, sovereignty can be delegated or limited through international treaties and agreements, where states may consent to abide by the rules set by international bodies, such as the United Nations or the World Trade Organization, in return for the benefits of membership in these organizations.
The concept of sovereignty also extends to the people within a state. Popular sovereignty is the theory that the authority of a state and its government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, through their elected representatives. This is a principle closely linked to democracy, as it emphasizes the role of citizens in shaping their governance. The idea of popular sovereignty surfaced prominently during the Enlightenment and influenced a variety of revolutionary movements around the world, including the American and French revolutions, as it shifted the basis of government legitimacy to the populace.
However, the application and interpretation of sovereignty can lead to conflicts, especially in cases of secession, where a region or group within a state seeks full sovereignty as an independent nation. Such movements often challenge the territorial integrity and political sovereignty of the established state, leading to disputes that can escalate into violence. The international community's recognition of a new state's sovereignty typically depends on complex diplomatic and political considerations, reflecting the intricate balance between self-determination and the stability of existing nation-states. The principles of selfdetermination and territorial integrity continue to guide but also challenge the international order in the 21st century.