The Concept of Sovereignty Purchases

Sovereignty purchases refer to the practice where one government buys the political rights and governmental powers of another government over a territory. This concept has historical roots, with the United States having acquired about 40% of its territory through such transactions, including major land deals like the Louisiana Purchase and the acquisition of Alaska. Additionally, many past sovereignty purchases involved complex dynamics, including coercion or conflicts, as seen in the annexation of Texas and subsequent territorial gains from Mexico. Understanding this history helps contextualize contemporary discussions regarding the potential sale of territories like Greenland.