|
State Type |
Description |
|
Nation-State |
A sovereign state in which the majority of the population belongs to a single nation or ethnic group, and the government is representative of that group. |
|
Federal State |
A state in which power is divided between a central government and constituent political units, such as states or provinces. |
|
Unitary State |
A state in which power is held by a single central authority, and constituent political units have limited autonomy. |
|
Confederation |
A union of independent states that retain their own sovereignty, but agree to delegate some powers to a central authority for the purpose of coordination and mutual support. |
|
Protectorate |
A state that is under the protection of a stronger state, and typically has limited sovereignty and a degree of dependence on the protector state. |
|
Dominion |
A state that is part of a federal union, and has a degree of independence and self-government, but also recognizes the authority of a central government. |
|
Principality |
A state that is ruled by a prince, such as a hereditary monarchy or a small independent state. |
It's worth noting that these classifications are not always clear-cut and can overlap, and that the actual form of a state can vary widely depending on its history, culture, and political context.