sovereign states
Self-governing political entities
Sovereign states are independent countries with defined territories, permanent populations, and governments that exercise supreme authority within their borders and aren't subject to any higher political power.
The term emphasizes legal and political independence in international relations: The United Nations comprises nearly two hundred sovereign states.
Questions of sovereignty become contested with separatist movements, occupied territories, and entities like Taiwan that function as states but lack universal recognition.
- countriesSovereign political territories
- nationSovereign political entity
- territoryLand under jurisdiction
- national bordersBoundaries between sovereign states
- governmentAuthority over a state
republic · recognition · seat at the table · world stage · independence · treaty · jurisdiction · self-determination · international law · diplomatic relations · acts of war · multilateralism · national anthem · constitutional framework · capitals · monarchy · citizenship · embassies
- territoriesprovince, region, country, colony, dominion
- Westphalian EraPeace of Westphalia, Thirty Years War, Holy Roman Empire, religious conflicts
- diplomacyembassy, ambassador, ambassadors, treaty, treaties
- geopoliticsbalance of power, bipolarity, bloc, blocs, brinkmanship
- international lawinternational law, treaty, treaties, conventions, protocols
- 1600s EuropeLouis XIV, Glorious Revolution, Peace of Westphalia, Versailles, William of Orange
sovereign statescolonies
Territories under foreign control
territories · dependencies · protectorates · vassal states · puppet states
sovereign statesoverseas territories
Lands governed by distant nations
disputed territories · non-state actors · failed states · international organizations
sovereign statesfailed states
Countries lacking functional government
anarchy · empires · world government · tribal territories · city-states
state, sovereignty, states, stately, sovereign, interstate, statesman, statecraft, statehood