Which statement best explains sovereignty in the global system?

• A. It is primarily about economic dominance.
• B. It is the ability to join international organizations.
• C. It is the ability to ignore international law.
• D. It is the supreme authority within a country's borders and essential for self-determination and international legitimacy.

Answer: (D)

Sovereignty is the supreme authority to govern a territory and the people within it. It means a state can make and enforce its own laws, control its resources, and conduct its foreign affairs without outside intervention. This internal authority is what enables self-determination—the right of a people to determine their political future—and it is what gives the international community reason to recognize a state as legitimate.

Economic power or dominance is not what defines sovereignty, though a strong economy can support a state's independence. Joining international organizations is a capability that states exercise, but sovereignty itself is not simply the act of joining; it’s the recognized right to govern one's territory. Ignoring international law is not a feature of sovereignty—states may breach laws, but that does not define sovereignty and often undermines legitimacy.