term:

Sovereignty

sovereignty

also
sov·ran·ty
[sÄ -vrən-tē, sə-, -və-rən-]

n
pl: -ties
1 a : supreme power esp. over a body politic
b : freedom from external control
: autonomy
2 : one that is sovereign
;esp
: an autonomous state

Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.