What does it mean for a country to be “sovereign”, and why does that idea still matter in today’s world shaped by climate change, the challenges of cyberspace, and the expansion of outer space exploration? Although scholars have debated the meaning of sovereignty for decades, discussions in international politics still take it for granted and treat it as a straightforward concept. As a result, we often overlook how sovereignty actually works, how it quietly orders international politics and shapes global cooperation, competition, and conflict.

Marie Prüm is a diplomat at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, where she is currently responsible for development cooperation with multilateral organisations. Prior to joining the Ministry, Ms. Prüm earned a PhD in International Relations from the University of Cambridge. She also holds an LL.M. in European Union Law and Litigation from the University of Luxembourg, an MSc in International Relations Theory from the London School of Economics and Political Science (United Kingdom), and a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Durham University (United Kingdom).