<Li> State refers to the set of governing and supportive institutions that have sovereignty over a definite territory and population . Sovereign states are legal persons . </Li> <P> State recognition signifies the decision of a sovereign state to treat another entity as also being a sovereign state . Recognition can be either expressed or implied and is usually retroactive in its effects . It does not necessarily signify a desire to establish or maintain diplomatic relations . </P> <P> There is no definition that is binding on all the members of the community of nations on the criteria for statehood . In actual practice, the criteria are mainly political, not legal . L.C. Green cited the recognition of the unborn Polish and Czechoslovak states in World War I and explained that "since recognition of statehood is a matter of discretion, it is open to any existing State to accept as a state any entity it wishes, regardless of the existence of territory or of an established government ." </P> <P> In international law, however, there are several theories of when a state should be recognised as sovereign . </P>

Explain the importance of sovereignty as one of the element of state