Balkanisation refers to the process of dividing a region or country into smaller, often hostile, political units or factions, typically along ethnic or cultural lines. The term derives from the historical and ongoing political and social divisions observed in the Balkan Peninsula, specifically during the disintegration of the Ottoman Empire in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
This phenomenon is characterized by the fragmentation of a larger political entity into smaller, geographically distinct units with potent nationalist sentiments and often contentious relationships between them. Balkanisation can occur due to a variety of factors, including historical grievances, ethnic or religious tensions, economic disparities, or external interference by foreign powers.
In practice, balkanisation often leads to the establishment of new independent states or regions that assert their own sovereignty or autonomy, sometimes resulting in violent conflicts or prolonged instability. It can also hinder regional cooperation and economic integration, as the fragmented units prioritize their own interests over a collective or shared agenda.
The term "balkanisation" is not limited to the Balkan Peninsula and has been used metaphorically to describe similar processes elsewhere. It has been employed to characterize situations where a larger entity or organization fragments into smaller, often conflicting units or factions, leading to a breakdown of unity, cooperation, and shared governance.
In summary, balkanisation refers to the process of dividing a region or country into smaller, often hostile, political units along ethnic, cultural, or other divisive lines, leading to fragmentation, instability, and potential conflict.
