balkanising
Splitting into factions
Balkanising means breaking up a region, organization, or system into smaller, often hostile units.
The term comes from the Balkan Peninsula, where the Ottoman Empire's fragmentation produced rival states.
Now applied broadly: Social media is balkanising public discourse.
The spelling balkanizing is standard in American English.
Barrier separating spaces
- splinteringBreaking into sharp fragments
- breakupRomantic relationship's termination
- disintegrationProcess of breaking apart
- dismembermentRemoval of limbs
dissolution · fracture · atomization · disunion · segmentation · subdivision · carve-up · splitting
Formal withdrawal from union
- separatismAdvocacy for political breakaway
- sovereigntySupreme independent authority
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
- independenceFreedom from external control
self-determination · devolution · decentralization · breakaway · nationalism · federalism · referendum · enclave
Separation into opposing extremes
- factionalismDivision into opposing cliques
- discordLack of agreement
- schismFormal organizational fracture
- riftCrack or estrangement
disunity · partisanship · sectarianism · alienation · estrangement · fractiousness · infighting · dissension
In-group loyalty, out-group hostility
- sectarianismPrejudiced loyalty to subgroups
- ethnonationalismPolitics privileging ethnic identity
- enclavesTerritories surrounded by another
- minoritiesSmaller portions of populations
identity · homeland · diaspora · communalism · caste · linguistic · regionalism · parochialism
Active armed fighting
- strifeAngry, prolonged conflict
- turmoilViolent disturbance or confusion
- warfareArmed conflict between groups
- genocideSystematic annihilation of a people
destabilization · insurgency · bloodshed · feud · internecine · balkanization
partition
Barrier separating spaces
- splinteringBreaking into sharp fragments
- breakupRomantic relationship's termination
- disintegrationProcess of breaking apart
dismemberment · dissolution · fracture · atomization · disunion · segmentation · subdivision · carve-up · splitting · decoupling
secession
Formal withdrawal from union
- separatismAdvocacy for political breakaway
- sovereigntySupreme independent authority
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
independence · self-determination · devolution · decentralization · breakaway · nationalism · federalism · referendum · enclave · partition
polarization
Separation into opposing extremes
- factionalismDivision into opposing cliques
- discordLack of agreement
- schismFormal organizational fracture
rift · disunity · partisanship · sectarianism · alienation · estrangement · fractiousness · infighting · dissension · contention
tribalism
In-group loyalty, out-group hostility
- sectarianismPrejudiced loyalty to subgroups
- ethnonationalismPolitics privileging ethnic identity
- enclavesTerritories surrounded by another
minorities · identity · homeland · diaspora · communalism · caste · linguistic · regionalism · parochialism · ethnicity
hostilities
Active armed fighting
- strifeAngry, prolonged conflict
- turmoilViolent disturbance or confusion
- warfareArmed conflict between groups
genocide · destabilization · insurgency · bloodshed · feud · internecine · balkanization
balkanisingunifying
Making disparate elements one
uniting · consolidating · federating · integrating · reunifying
balkanisingcentralising
Concentrating into one hub
integrating · consolidating · harmonising · standardising · streamlining
balkanisingunifying
Making disparate elements one
uniting · consolidating · bringing together · coalescing · harmonising
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