Types of Political Entities and Decolonization

State

A political unit with defined boundaries, permanent population, recognition by other states, and sovereignty.

Nation

A group of people with shared cultural heritage, loyalty to one another, a distinct homeland, and the ability or desire to form their own sovereign state.

Nation-State

A state composed of a single nation, characterized by cultural homogeneity and unity.

Multinational State

A state containing more than one nation, often characterized by cultural diversity and potential tensions.

Stateless Nation

A nation that does not have sovereignty over the land where they live and desires their own independent state.

Multi-State Nation

A nation living in more than one contiguous state, often facing challenges related to identity and self-determination.

Autonomous Region

A defined area within a state with a high degree of self-government and freedom from the central government.

Semi-Autonomous Region

An area within a state that can govern itself to a certain degree but does not possess complete power to govern.

Imperialism

The process of exerting influence or control over a territory through direct conquest, economic dominance, or cultural dominance.

Colonization

The establishment of a colony by a 'Mother Country' in the land of another country, often involving the settlement of people from the 'Mother Country'.

Berlin Conference

A conference held by European powers to divide up Africa and establish colonial borders, disregarding existing linguistic, cultural, and political boundaries.

Self-Determination

The right of a nation to govern itself and determine its own political status, often leading to the desire for an independent sovereign state.

Nationalism

An ideology that emphasizes loyalty, devotion, or allegiance to a nation, often driving aspirations for self-determination and independence.

Decolonization

The process by which colonies gain independence from the colonizing country, often involving political, social, and economic transformations.

Neocolonialism

A situation where a foreign power indirectly controls or influences a territory and its people, typically through economic means, after the formal decolonization process.

Devolution

The transfer of power from a central government to regional governments within a state, or the breakup of a large state into several independent ones, often driven by demands for greater autonomy.

Ethnonationalism

A form of nationalism in which the nation is defined in terms of ethnic identity, often leading to aspirations for self-governance and the creation of an independent state.

Economic Forces

Forces driven by wealth generation or unequal distribution, fueling the desire for autonomy or independence within regions or nations.

Territorial Forces

Forces influenced by distance from the capital city or wealthier regions, often strengthening tendencies towards devolution and regional autonomy.

Separatist Movements

Movements advocating for self-determination and the creation of an independent state, often driven by cultural, ethnic, or political differences.

Autonomy

The condition of having greater freedom and self-government for a regional government within a state, often granted as a means to address demands for self-determination.

Disintegration

The process of a national state breaking apart into several independent states, often driven by internal conflicts, aspirations for self-governance, or demands for independence.

European Colonization

The establishment of large empires by European powers, motivated by factors such as religious mission, economic interests, and the pursuit of glory and power.

Early Colonialism

The initial phase of European colonization, characterized by the establishment of large empires motivated by religious mission, economic interests, and the pursuit of glory and power.

Later Colonialism

The phase of European colonization focused on Africa and Asia, marked by the Berlin Conference dividing Africa without regard for existing linguistic, cultural, and political boundaries.