Sovereignty
A nation's right to self-rule. Inherent by history, geography, and culture. In practice, what wealthy nations say.
How We Say It
sov·rin·tee
Where It Comes From
Old French souveraineté. From souverain — supreme, from Latin superanus — above, from super. Sovereignty was the quality of being above — above the law, above challenge, supreme. The modern political concept of state sovereignty derives from the Peace of Westphalia in 1648.
How It's Been Used
Sovereignty is claimed simultaneously by nation-states (territorial sovereignty), indigenous peoples (tribal sovereignty), and individuals (bodily sovereignty). The claims conflict constantly. 'Sovereignty' in trade debates refers to economic self-determination; in immigration debates to border control; in indigenous rights to pre-existing authority.