Sovereign state

A sovereign state is a state that has the highest authority over a territory.[1] International law defines sovereign states as having a permanent population, defined territory, a government not under another, and the capacity to interact with other sovereign states.[2] It is also commonly understood that a sovereign state is independent.[3]

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According to the declarative theory of statehood, a sovereign state can exist without being recognised by other sovereign states.[4][5] Unrecognised states will often find it difficult to exercise full treaty-making powers or engage in diplomatic relations with other sovereign states.