State Sovereignty

State sovereignty is the foundational principle of international law and relations, defining states as independent legal entities with exclusive authority over their territory and domestic affairs. It implies legal equality among all states, regardless of size or wealth, and is not a license for unlimited power but a framework of rights and duties under international law. This principle, codified in the UN Charter, prohibits external intervention in a state’s internal matters (non-intervention) and is symbolized by UN membership, which also imposes responsibilities toward citizens and the international community.