Changes

From the 1400s to around 1960, most lands were classified as either sovereign nations or colonies.  Sovereign nations were free standing and practiced self-government.  (Each nation's separate government was a [[democracy]], a [[dictatorship]], a [[monarchy]], or something else.)  Colonies were governed and controlled by a separate nation.  Since 1960, most colonies have been granted independence, with rare exceptions where a lack of resources prevent the colony from surviving as a viable independent nation.

From the 1400s to around 1960, most lands were classified as either sovereign nations or colonies.  Sovereign nations were free standing and practiced self-government.  (Each nation's separate government was a [[democracy]], a [[dictatorship]], a [[monarchy]], or something else.)  Colonies were governed and controlled by a separate nation.  Since 1960, most colonies have been granted independence, with rare exceptions where a lack of resources prevent the colony from surviving as a viable independent nation.

[[Globalism]] has caused the individual nations of the world to lose some of their sovereignty. Many [[liberal]]s support the eventual unification of all humanity under a [[one-world government]].

[[Globalism]] has caused the individual nations of the world to lose some of their sovereignty ("popular sovereignty"). Many [[liberal]]s support the eventual unification of all humanity under a [[one-world government]].

A major issue in the [[American Civil War]] was the question of whether each state had sovereignty or whether the United States ("Union") government exercised sovereignty over the individual states.  As the [[European Union]] continues to evolve, similar debates arise over the rights of the member nations in that union.

A major issue in the [[American Civil War]] was the question of whether each state had sovereignty or whether the United States ("Union") government exercised sovereignty over the individual states.  As the [[European Union]] continues to evolve, similar debates arise over the rights of the member nations in that union.<ref>The fact the European Union cannot defend itself and relies on the United States and [[NATO]] for defense, coupled with the fact the EU is unwilling to defend itself from illegal migration, calls into question the status of the EU as a sovereign entity.</ref>

==See also==

==See also==