IB Global Politics Sovereignty Key Definitions

Collective rights are the rights held by groups of people, often tied to their shared identity, culture, or history, such as Indigenous peoples’ rights to land or the right of minority groups to preserve their language and traditions.

External sovereignty refers to a state’s ability to act independently in international affairs—outside its borders. It reflects how much power a state has when interacting with other states and global actors.

Global governance refers to the framework of rules, institutions, and processes that guide international cooperation and decision-making.

Refers to countries with lower levels of economic and industrial development, typically found south of more developed nations.

Humanitarian intervention refers to the use of military force by one or more states in another state without the latter's consent, with the primary aim of preventing or stopping widespread suffering or human rights abuses.

Internal sovereignty is the state’s absolute authority within its borders. A state with strong internal sovereignty has control over its population, power to make and enforce laws, and public acceptance of the state's authority.

Sovereignty is a foundational concept in global politics, referring to the authority of a state to govern itself without external interference.

Sovereignty means a state's independence and control over its territory. States are expected to govern effectively, make decisions within their borders and control what happens inside their territory.

Supranational institutions (e.g. the EU or UN) involve states working together to make collective decisions. These bodies can override individual states’ choices in some areas.

Transnational companies (TNCs), also known as multinational companies (MNCs), are businesses that start in one country but expand to operate in two or more countries. In today’s globalised world, some large TNCs are seen as having more power than governments. Because of their global influence, TNCs are considered by some to be a threat to traditional state sovereignty, as they can challenge a state's control over its economy and society.