What is meant by the term sovereignty?

Sovereignty refers to the principle that a state has the ultimate authority to govern itself without interference from external forces. This concept is fundamental in international law and political theory, as it establishes that each state has the right to determine its own political, economic, and social systems without outside interference.

The idea of sovereignty is essential to understanding the interactions between nations, as it emphasizes the independence of states in the global arena. This means that states have the autonomy to make their own decisions, establish laws, and engage in diplomacy as they see fit, free from the control or influence of other nations.

While the ability to enforce laws within a territory is a component of sovereignty, it does not encompass the whole meaning, which is focused on self-governance. Similarly, measures of wealth aren't relevant to the definition of sovereignty, nor does sovereignty inherently involve the power to invade other territories, which can conflict with the recognition of another state's sovereignty. Therefore, recognizing each state's right to govern itself is what best captures the essence of sovereignty.