A social science teacher could best use which of the following examples to illustrate the concept of sovereignty?

The concept of sovereignty refers to the authority of a state to govern itself and make its own laws without external interference. The correct choice exemplifies this by highlighting an autonomous region that exercises authority within its own defined borders. This scenario illustrates sovereignty through self-governance, as the autonomous region operates with a degree of independence while still being a part of a larger nation.

In this context, sovereignty is not just about having territory; it’s about the capability to maintain order, create laws, and govern effectively within those borders. The autonomous region's ability to exercise authority within itself reinforces the core idea of sovereignty as the right to self-determination and governance.

Other options may reference aspects related to territorial control or governance but do not encapsulate the essence of sovereignty as clearly. For instance, a large nation taking control of a smaller nation's territory speaks to issues of power and imperialism rather than the self-governance aspect central to sovereignty. Similarly, transferring territory between nations can involve diplomatic negotiations but doesn’t highlight the idea of a region or entity governing itself independently. Lastly, establishing restrictions on leaders’ power with a constitution addresses governance structures but does not directly convey the concept of sovereignty in terms of territorial and political autonomy.