client state
Subordinate sovereign territory
A client state is a country that is economically, politically, or militarily dependent on a more powerful nation.
The term implies the smaller state defers to the larger one's interests in exchange for protection or support: Cuba was a Soviet client state during the Cold War.
The relationship suggests subordination without formal annexation—technically independent but practically controlled.
Orbiting celestial body
- puppetControlled performing figure
- vassalLand-holding sworn subordinate
- protectorateGuarded semi-autonomous territory
- tributaryStream entering larger river
dependency · suzerainty · hegemony · sphere of influence · subordination · domination · patron · overlord
Neutral area between rivals
- sphere of influenceZone of dominant authority
- proxy warConflict fought through intermediaries
- allianceFormal union of parties
- coalitionTemporary alliance for action
military aid · foreign aid · garrison · treaty · intervention · stabilization · regime · superpower
Regime controlled externally
- proxyAuthorized substitute
- regimeSystem of governance
- foreign policyInternational relations strategy
- economic dependenceRequiring another's fiscal support
military base · sanctions · trade agreement · alignment · bloc
Land-for-service social structure
- fiefdomFeudal territory under lord
- liegeFeudal superior or subject
- homageExpression of deep respect
- fealtyPledged devotion to authority
tribute · vassalage · serfdom · manorialism · overlord · subservience · investiture · oath
satellite
Orbiting celestial body
- puppetControlled performing figure
- vassalLand-holding sworn subordinate
- protectorateGuarded semi-autonomous territory
tributary · dependency · suzerainty · hegemony · sphere of influence · subordination · domination · patron · overlord · annexation
buffer zone
Neutral area between rivals
- sphere of influenceZone of dominant authority
- proxy warConflict fought through intermediaries
- allianceFormal union of parties
coalition · military aid · foreign aid · garrison · treaty · intervention · stabilization · regime · superpower · Cold War
puppet government
Regime controlled externally
- proxyAuthorized substitute
- regimeSystem of governance
- foreign policyInternational relations strategy
economic dependence · military base · sanctions · trade agreement · alignment · bloc
feudalism
Land-for-service social structure
fealty · tribute · vassalage · serfdom · manorialism · overlord · subservience · investiture · oath · bannerman
- geopoliticsbalance of power, bipolarity, bloc, blocs, brinkmanship
- dependenciescolony, protectorate, dependency, dominion, crown colony
- political entitiesnation, country, kingdom, republic, dominion
- sovereigntynational sovereignty, statehood, nation, popular sovereignty, territorial sovereignty
- vassal statesprotectorate, tributary, puppet regime
- Buffer Statesbuffer zone, neutral zone, DMZ, demilitarized zone, no mans land
client statesuperpower
Dominant nation or magical ability
hegemon · great power · imperial power · world power · sovereign nation