Question

Difficulty: EasySovereignty: Concept, Types, Characteristics, and Limitations

While a sovereign state exercises supreme power within its territorial jurisdiction, its actions on the global stage are subject to certain boundaries. Which of the following represents an external limitation on a state's sovereignty?

  1. Adherence to international law and treaties ratified with other nationsAnswer
  2. B
    The enforcement of domestic policies using state police power and physical force
  3. C
    The constitutional authority of component units to nullify central laws in a confederation
  4. D
    The statutory law-making process carried out by the elected legislature

Answer

Adherence to international law and treaties ratified with other nations is an external limitation on state sovereignty.
State sovereignty in international relations is externally limited by international law, bilateral or multilateral treaties, and international bodies such as the United Nations. By ratifying global treaties, a state voluntarily restricts its absolute autonomy to conform to international legal norms.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Distinguish between internal and external limitations on state sovereignty.
Internal limitations originate within the state (such as public opinion, constitutions, and institutional checks), whereas external limitations arise outside the state's borders from international bodies, treaties, and global regulations.
Sovereignty operates across distinct domestic and international dimensions.
2
Evaluate which option represents a constraint arising from international agreements.
Ratified international treaties and global laws bind states politically and legally, curbing their absolute autonomy on the world stage.
Sovereign nations must align their international conduct with international agreements to maintain international standing and legal compliance.

Key Concept

External limitations on sovereignty
Estimated Time:45s
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