Ethnic separatism
The process by which people of a particular ethnicity in a multinational state identify more strongly as members of their ethnic group than as citizens of the state
Ethnic cleansing
The process by which a state attacks an ethnic group and tries to eliminate it through expulsion, imprisonment, or killing
Supranational organization
An alliance of three or more states that work together in pursuit of common goals or to address an issue or challenge
Economies of scale
Cost reductions that occur when production rises
Ethnonationalism
The process by which the people of a country identify as having one common ethnicity, religious belief, and language, creating a sense of pride and identity that is tied to the territory; also called ethnic nationalism
Devolution
Destabilizing process that stresses a state's existing structure
Distance decay
Principle that states as distance increases, communication decreases
Centripetal force
A force that unites groups of people
Political centripetal force
A force that draws people together and supports the sovereignty of the state
Confederation
a group of sovereign states that have banded together where the autonomy of each member state is more important than the common government
Centrifugal force
A force that divides groups of people
Political centrifugal force
A force that pulls a state apart or diminishes its ability to govern
Seperatists
May want complete secession or just greater autonomy or recognition
Failed state
A state that cannot govern and whose sovereignty is threatened