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Self-governance

Self-governance, self-government, self-sovereignty, or self-rule is the ability of a person or group to exercise all necessary functions of regulation without intervention from an external authority.[2][3][4] It may refer to personal conduct or to any form of institution, such as family units, social groups, affinity groups, legal bodies, industry bodies, religions, and political entities of various degree.[4][5][6] Self-governance is closely related to various philosophical and socio-political concepts such as autonomy, independence, self-control, self-discipline, and sovereignty.[7]

This article is about the mode of governance. For similar concepts of regulation, see Self-regulation (disambiguation).

In the context of nation states, self-governance is called national sovereignty which is an important concept in international law. In the context of administrative division, a self-governing territory is called an autonomous region.[8] Self-governance is also associated with political contexts in which a population or demographic becomes independent from colonial rule, absolute government, absolute monarchy, or any government that they perceive does not adequately represent them.[9] It is therefore a fundamental tenet of many democracies, republics and nationalist governments.[10] Mohandas Gandhi's term "swaraj" is a branch of this self-rule ideology. Henry David Thoreau was a major proponent of self-rule in lieu of immoral governments.

A that outlines acceptable behavior within the unit or group.[17] This may include a legal or ethical code (e.g. the Hippocratic Oath of doctors, or established codes of professional ethics).

code of conduct

A means of ensuring external authority does not become involved unless and until certain criteria are satisfied.

A means of facilitating the intended functions of the unit or group.

A means of registering and resolving (e.g. medical malpractice, union procedures, and for achieving closure regarding them).

grievances

A means of within the unit or group,[18] ranging from fines and censure up to and including penalty of death.

disciplinary procedure

A means of suppressing parties, factions, tendencies, or other sub-groups that seek to from the unit or group.

secede

The means of self-governance usually comprises some or all of the following:

Media related to Self-governance at Wikimedia Commons