Pronunciation: [pˈʌpɪt ɡˈʌvənmənt] (IPA) 
The correct spelling of "puppet government" is /ˈpʌpɪt ˈɡʌvərmənt/. The word "puppet" is spelled with a "p," followed by a "u" and "p" sound, then "et." The word "government" is spelled with a "g," followed by a "u," "v," and "ər" sound, then "ment." A puppet government refers to a government that is controlled by an outside power and acts on their behalf rather than the interests of the people they govern.
A puppet government is a political entity that is controlled and manipulated by a foreign power or an external force, rendering it subservient and entirely dependent on the puppeteer's interests. It refers to a situation wherein the governing body of a nation appears to exercise autonomy and wield power, but in actuality, it merely serves as a facade for the puppeteer's control.
Such a government usually lacks true sovereignty and is typically established and sustained through coercion, military force, or other means of control exerted by the puppeteer. The puppet government often prioritizes the interests and objectives of the external power over the welfare and desires of its own citizens, thereby undermining democracy, self-determination, and national independence.
The puppet government's decisions, policies, and actions are heavily influenced or dictated by the puppeteer, who may intervene in various aspects of governance, such as economic policy, foreign relations, or security matters. The puppet government may also be used to advance the puppeteer's strategic, political, or economic agenda, allowing them to project power or gain a foothold within a region or nation.
Critics argue that puppet governments undermine the principles of self-governance, national identity, and the welfare of the people. Consequently, the term "puppet government" often carries negative connotations and is frequently employed to condemn a lack of authentic political agency and sovereignty.
The term "puppet government" is a combination of the words "puppet" and "government".
The word "puppet" derives from the Middle English word "popet", which means a small doll or puppet used in entertainment. This Middle English term is related to the Old French word "paupette", denoting a small doll or toy. It ultimately originated from the Latin word "puppa", meaning a doll or a girl.
The term "government" comes from the Latin word "gubernare", which means to steer or to govern. It entered Old French as "governement", maintaining its basic meaning of the state or act of governing. Through borrowing into Middle English, it became "government".
The combination of these two words, "puppet government", is used metaphorically to describe a government that appears to be independent but is actually controlled and manipulated by another, typically more powerful, country or entity.
