Final answer:
A sovereign nation, as per de Gouges, is an autonomous state that holds supreme authority within its territory, making its decisions based on its own interests without external interference.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to de Gouges, a sovereign nation is one that exercises supreme authority within its own territory. This signifies that a sovereign state has the complete right to govern itself, independent of any external control. Sovereignty means having the full authority to make decisions about war or peace, and the freedom to form treaties and alliances with other nations. This concept, which evolved from the seventeenth century onward, implies that a sovereign state determines its own affairs based on its own interests and the aspirations of its people. Furthermore, sovereignty is foundational to the existence of nation-states, conferring on them the right to operate their institutions and enforce their laws without fear of outside interference. Hence, a sovereign nation is essentially autonomous and self-governing, capable of making decisions that affect its course and wellbeing.