The term "sovereign states" refers to countries that have complete authority and control over their own territory. The pronunciation of "sovereign" is /ˈsɒvrən/, with the stressed syllable being the first one. The letter "e" is pronounced as "uh" and "g" is silent. "States" is pronounced /steɪts/, with the stressed syllable being the first one. The letters "a" and "e" are pronounced as "ay" and "ih", respectively. The spelling of "sovereign states" reflects the English language's complex orthography, where the same letter can represent different sounds, making pronunciation difficult for non-native speakers.
A sovereign state refers to a self-governing political entity or country that possesses full authority over its territories and population, without any higher external power. It is characterized by its independence, absolute power, and ability to maintain internal order and external relations. Within its defined borders, a sovereign state exercises its own legal system, political institutions, and controls its economic and military affairs.
Key attributes of sovereign states encompass:
1. Territory: The state is demarcated by borders and has defined land or maritime areas over which it exercises sovereignty.
2. Government: A sovereign state maintains its own political organization to administer its territory, including a system of governance, legislation, and institutions following its own laws and rules.
3. Population: A sovereign state encompasses a group of people who commonly reside within its borders, forming a society that is subject to the state's laws and regulations.
4. Independence: It has full autonomy and is not subordinate or dependent on any other political entity.
5. Recognition: Sovereign states are recognized by other states or international organizations as eligible participants in international affairs.
6. Sovereignty: It possesses ultimate authority within its boundaries, both internally (over its citizens) and externally (over relations with other states).
Sovereign states are the building blocks of the international system and are crucial players in global politics, holding the ability to make decisions, enter into treaties, engage in diplomatic relations, and participate in international organizations.
The word "sovereign" originates from the Old French word "soverain", which was derived from the Latin word "superanus" meaning "one who is above". In medieval Latin, "superanus" referred to both a feudal lord and a supreme ruler. Over time, "sovereign" came to be associated with supreme power, authority, and independence.
The term "state" comes from the Latin word "status", which referred to a condition or situation. In the context of political entities, the word evolved to describe a defined territory governed by specific laws and a governing body.
The concept of "sovereign states" emerged during the development of international relations and the formation of nation-states in the 17th century. The Peace of Westphalia, signed in 1648, marked a significant shift in recognizing the sovereignty of independent states and establishing the principle of non-interference in a nation's internal affairs.