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'''Sovereignty''' refers to the independent [[legal]] authority of a population in a particular territory, based on the recognized [[rights|right]] to [[self-determination]].<ref>Almond, Gabriel A. ''Comparative Politics Today: A World View''. New York: Pearson, 2004.</ref>  

'''Sovereignty''' refers to the independent [[legal]] authority of a population in a particular territory, based on the recognized [[rights|right]] to [[self-determination]].<ref>Almond, Gabriel A. ''Comparative Politics Today: A World View''. New York: Pearson, 2004.</ref> Among the powers exercised by every sovereign nation is the right to control its own borders, including trade, tariffs, emigration, and [[immigration]].

By sovereignty, in its largest sense is meant supreme, absolute, uncontrollable power, the absolute right to [[govern]].<ref>Black's Law Dictionary, Sixth Edition, p. 1396.</ref> For example, God has sovereignty over all creation.  "He Who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords" (1 Timothy 6:15). In Islamic teaching, [[Allah]] alone is sovereign ("alone without partner", meaning a denial of the divine nature of the trinity) and does not delegate power to  [[Jesus]] or any civil government.  

By sovereignty, in its largest sense is meant supreme, absolute, uncontrollable power, the absolute right to [[govern]].<ref>Black's Law Dictionary, Sixth Edition, p. 1396.</ref> For example, God has sovereignty over all creation.  "He Who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords" (1 Timothy 6:15). In Islamic teaching, [[Allah]] alone is sovereign ("alone without partner", meaning a denial of the divine nature of the Trinity) and does not delegate power to  [[Jesus]] or any civil government.  

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.

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.

==See also==

==See also==

* [[Self-ownership]]

* [[Self-ownership]]

==References==

==References==

==External links==

==External links==

*[http://www.aim.org/wls/category/sovereignty/ What Liberals Say - Category: Sovereignty], [[Accuracy In Media]]

*[http://www.aim.org/wls/category/sovereignty/ What Liberals Say - Category: Sovereignty], [[Accuracy In Media]]

[[Category:Government]]

[[Category:Government]]