Definition

1. Noun:
   • Government of a political unit by its own people: The condition or system where a country, region, or community is governed by its own members, free from external control. It implies autonomy and the right of a people to make their own laws and political decisions.

Usage

• General Concept: Used to describe the political autonomy of a nation, state, or locality.
• Key Contexts: Often discussed in relation to colonies gaining independence, federal systems where states have certain powers, or the principle of democratic rule.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The island territory fought for and achieved self-government.
  • Local self-government allows cities to manage their own budgets and services.
  • The principle of self-government is a cornerstone of modern democracy.

Advanced Usage

• "to exercise self-government": to actively use the powers of autonomous rule.
  • The region began to exercise full self-government after the treaty was signed.
• "a measure of self-government": a degree or amount of autonomous control.
  • The agreement granted the province a significant measure of self-government.

Variants and Related Words

• Self-governing (adj): Having the right or power of self-government; autonomous.
  • The self-governing territory has its own parliament.
• Self-rule (n): A synonym for self-government.
  • The movement's goal was self-rule for the people.

Synonyms

• Autonomy: The right or condition of self-government.
• Independence: The state of being free from external control or support.
• Home rule: The government of a colony, dependent country, or region by its own citizens.

Antonyms

• Dependence: The state of relying on or being controlled by another.
• Colonialism: The policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country.
• Heteronomy: Subjection to external law or control; opposite of autonomy.

Noun

1. government of a political unit by its own people