Which term describes issues related to governance that cannot be resolved by individual states acting alone?

The term "Collective Action problems" describes situations where multiple parties, such as individual states, face challenges that cannot be effectively addressed by any single entity acting on its own. These problems arise when individuals or states have incentives to act in their own self-interest, which can lead to negative outcomes for the group as a whole. In governance, this often relates to issues like environmental concerns, public health crises, and economic policies that require cooperative efforts across state lines to achieve effective solutions.

For instance, climate change is a classic example of a collective action problem, where the individual actions of one state or country may have limited impact without the coordinated efforts of others. It highlights the importance of collaboration, as the resolution of these issues necessitates joint action, agreements, or regulations that transcend individual autonomy and state interests.

The other options refer to more specific governance challenges. State sovereignty issues pertain to the authority and independence of states, which does not inherently address the need for collective action. Federal regulatory challenges involve the complexities of federal laws that may affect state operations but do not encapsulate the broader need for collaborative governance. Interstate commerce disputes focus specifically on trade and economic interactions between states rather than the wider implications of governance that require collective cooperation.