What defines the authority of a state or organization to govern itself?

The authority of a state or organization to govern itself is best defined by jurisdiction. Jurisdiction refers to the legal power or authority of a state to make and enforce laws within a defined territory and over specific individuals or entities. It encompasses the scope of a legal body's authority, including the power to legislate, enforce laws, and adjudicate disputes.

Jurisdiction can be territorial, meaning it is limited to a specific geographic area, or personal, targeting individuals or organizations within that jurisdiction regardless of location. This foundational concept ensures that a governing body has the legitimate ability to exercise its power over the matters it oversees, making it essential for the functioning of any legal system.

The other options like legal capacity, executive power, and parliamentary sovereignty, while significant in their own rights, do not singularly encapsulate the broad concept of an authority governing itself. Legal capacity refers to the ability to enter into legal relationships and is more about individual entities rather than state governance. Executive power pertains to the enforcement of laws and policies by the executive branch of government, not the overall authority of governance. Parliamentary sovereignty emphasizes the power of the parliament to legislate without constraints, which is important but is specific to the legislative process rather than the broad authority to govern. Thus, jurisdiction