Sovereign immunity is a legal doctrine that protects governments and their agencies from being sued without their consent. This principle means that a state or nation cannot be held liable in court for its actions, ensuring that government functions are not hindered by lawsuits. However, many countries, including the United States, have exceptions to this rule. For instance, the Federal Tort Claims Act allows individuals to sue the federal government under specific circumstances. This balance aims to protect government operations while still providing avenues for accountability in cases of wrongdoing.