self‑governance
/ˈsɛlf ˈɡʌvənəns/ · self·gov·ern·ance
noun
- The ability or right of a person, community, or nation to manage its own affairs without external control. The island’s push for self‑governance culminated in a locally elected council that handles education and health services.
Synonyms
autonomyself‑ruleself‑determinationself‑managementself‑controlindependenceself‑directionself‑administration
Antonyms
Did you know? The term gained prominence during the 19th‑century American frontier, where settlers prized self‑governance as a hallmark of democratic liberty, and it later influenced the United Nations’ language on peoples’ right to self‑determination.