Which term refers to the authority of a state to govern another state?

The term that refers to the authority of a state to govern another state is sovereignty. In the context of international relations and political science, sovereignty signifies the supreme and absolute authority of a state to exercise control over its territory and make decisions free from external interference. This includes the ability to enforce laws, conduct foreign relations, and govern the population within its borders.

Sovereignty is a fundamental principle in the study of political systems, as it highlights the concept of territorial jurisdiction and the rights of nations in the global arena. The other options, while related to power dynamics, do not precisely capture the legal and political notion of state authority in the same way that sovereignty does. Dominance, for instance, may imply a hierarchical relationship but doesn't necessarily denote formal authority. Influence can suggest a state's ability to sway others without formal control. Power can be more general and refer to the capacity to act or make decisions, but it lacks the specific legal implications associated with sovereignty.