A constituent state is a
state entity that constitutes a
part of a
sovereign state. A constituent state holds regional jurisdiction over a defined administrative territory, within a sovereign state. Government of a constituent state is a form of
regional government. Throughout history, and also in modern political practice, most constituent states are part of complex states, like
federations or
confederations. Constituent states can have
republican or
monarchical forms of government. Those of republican form are usually called ''states'' or
autonomous states, ''republics'' or
autonomous republics, or
cantons. Those that have a monarchical form of government are often defined by traditional hierarchical rank of their ruler (usually a
principality, or an
emirate).
Associated state
States existing in
free association with another sovereign state can be considered constituent states of a constitutional entity, depending on circumstances. For example, the
Cook Islands,
New Zealand and
Niue constitute the three constituent countries of the
Realm of New Zealand, united under a single
head of state: the
King or Queen of New Zealand.
Confederated state
Constituent states united in a
confederal union under a confederal government are more specifically known as confederated states. Some of the most notable historical examples of constituent states within a confederation are the
United States under the
Articles of Confederation, the
States of the German Confederation and
States of the Confederate States of America. In modern political practice, notable examples are
Cantons of Switzerland or
Entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Federated state

Constituent states united in a
federal union under a
federal government are more specifically known as federated states. There are numerous historical examples for constituent states within various federations. In modern political practice, among the most notable examples are
U.S. states and
constituent entities of the Russian Federation.
Other forms of constituent states
Administrative units that are not federated or confederated but enjoy a greater degree of
autonomy or self-government than other territories within the same country can be considered constituent states of that country. This relationship is by some authors called a
federacy.
Autonomous republics like
Karakalpakstan in
Uzbekistan
Political status of breakaway states
The concept of a ''constituent state'' is also used in political processes and negotiations regarding the status of various
breakaway states. It is often proposed as a compromise solution or an alternative to formal recognition of a
secessionist state that has unilaterally declared
independence, and whose ''
de jure''
sovereignty remains
in dispute.
The Caucasus
The
South Caucasus region consists of a number of breakaway and
autonomous republics in addition to the states of
Armenia,
Azerbaijan and
Georgia recognised by the
United Nations.
The breakaway republics of
Abkhazia and
South Ossetia, which have effectively maintained independence since declaration, are considered constituent republics of Georgia by the majority of world governments. The
Republic of Artsakh, which is also independent in effect, is considered by the United Nations to be a constituent entity of Azerbaijan.
Cyprus
The country of Cyprus is divided between two independent political entities: the internationally recognised
Republic of Cyprus in the south, and the
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is recognised as a sovereign state only by
Turkey. Both entities are given the title of constituent state of Cyprus by the
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the
Annan Plan for reuniting Cyprus consistently used the term constituent state to refer to each entity.
Kosovo
The
Republic of Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from the
Republic of Serbia in February 2008.
Korean reunification
Some proposals have called a
confederacy between
South Korea and
North Korea as a measure of
Korean reunification, which both Koreas will remain their own political systems.
Proposal for Palestine
The term constituent state has also been used to label both states in proposals for
federal solutions to the
Israeli–Palestinian conflict. It can also describe the region of
Palestine at present, which is divided between the governments of
Israel and the
Palestinian Authority.
Somalia
Because of the
ongoing war in
Somalia, the
Somali country is now divided into a number of constituent
states with varying degrees of independence from the
Transitional Federal Government.
The breakaway republic of
Somaliland in the north, which maintains ''de facto'' independence over its territory, is still regarded by member states of the United Nations as a constituent state of
Somalia despite its
declaration of independence in 1991. The states of
Puntland and
Galmudug in central and northeastern Somalia retain control over their own territories with little to no oversight from the
federal government, which is based in
Mogadishu in the south. The administrations in these states have stated that, unlike Somaliland, they do not seek outright
independence from Somalia, and are merely maintaining stability until such a time when the government can effectively implement a permanent constitution for the country.
In the south and in opposition to the central government are
regions administered by various
Islamic insurgent groups, most notably
Hizbul Islam and
al-Shabaab, both of which seek to establish
Sharia law within the country.
Other administrative entities
Myanmar
Like Palau, the government of
Myanmar, or Burma, presently operates as a unitary state, with sovereignty confined within the
central government. Myanmar is divided into a number of
regions, zones and states with constitutionally defined levels of autonomy.
Both regions and states can be described as ethnically defined; while the
Bamar are the dominant
ethnic group within regions, the states are mostly dominated by various
minority groups, such as the
Shan (
Shan State), the
Rakhine (
Rakhine State) and the
Karen (
Karen State), among others.
In terms of politics, the use of the term "state" in this context is largely historical, with a number of these states having been united in various federal unions during the
British colonial period. At present, most states are afforded a greater degree of autonomy than other divisions. Political
separatism in many states is rampant, and territory controlled by the central government in these cases is limited. In these cases, jurisdiction within a state is mostly confined to its respective regional government.
In addition, various proposals have been made for instituting
federalism in Myanmar, which would allow these states to implement individual constitutions.
The KIO Proposal
Kachin Independence Organization. Letter to the National Convention Commission, and National leaders of the Union. Accessed 2009-11-01.
Palau
Palau is divided into sixteen administrative divisions termed "states", which were before 1984 called municipalities. The change in terminology reflects the fact that these divisions are afforded a larger degree of autonomy than before, with each state having its own constitution. As a unitary republic, however, the Government of Palau is centralised and these divisions exist solely to establish regional government; they are not united in a federal union.
Other uses
The term "constituent state" is sometimes also used to refer to member states of an international organization.
Member states of the European Union are occasionally referred to as "constituent states" by pro-European politicians and activists within the European Union, especially those in favour of further internal integration and federalisation.
It is also used to refer to sovereign states in bilateral negotiations or agreements between two or more states.
See also
* Constituency
* Country
* Federated state
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Constituent State
Category:Political geography
Category:Constitutional state types
Category:Federalism