A sovereign state is a political entity that has the highest authority over a territory. 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. A sovereign state is independent and can exist without being recognized by other sovereign states, although unrecognised states often have difficulty engaging in diplomatic relations with other sovereign states due to their lack of international recognition.

Here are some key points about sovereign states:

• A sovereign state has supreme authority over its territory and population.
• It has a permanent population, defined territory, and a government not under another.
• It has the capacity to interact with other sovereign states.
• A sovereign state is independent and can exist without being recognized by other sovereign states.
• Most sovereign states are recognized, which means other sovereign states agree that it is really a sovereign state.
• Being recognized makes it easier for a sovereign state to talk to and make agreements (treaties) with other sovereign states.
• The borders of a sovereign state may not at all circumscribe a “people” or a “nation,” and may in fact encompass several of these identities.
• An assemblage of states, both internally and externally sovereign, makes up an international system, where sovereign entities ally, trade, make war, and make peace.

In summary, a sovereign state is a political entity that has supreme authority over a territory and is independent of other states. It has a permanent population, defined territory, and a government not under another, and the capacity to interact with other sovereign states.