suzerains
Lords over vassals
Suzerains is the plural of suzerain, a state or ruler that controls another state's foreign affairs while allowing it domestic autonomy.
The relationship—suzerainty—sits between full sovereignty and complete subjugation: The Ottoman Empire acted as suzerain over several Balkan territories.
The term now appears mostly in historical contexts or international law discussions.
Feudal subordinates owing service
- overlordsSupreme authoritarian rulers
- lordsMen of high rank
- fiefsGranted hereditary estates
- fealtyPledged devotion to authority
homage · tribute · liege · dominion · sovereignty · medieval · kingdoms · allegiance
Territories under external control
- coloniesTerritories under foreign control
- tributariesStreams joining larger rivers
- empiresExtensive ruled territories
- dominionsTerritories under sovereign rule
mandates · dependencies · client states · spheres · hegemony · British Raj · annexation · autonomy
Dominant group's control
- influencePower to affect others
- satellitesBodies circling larger ones
- superpowersCapabilities beyond human limits
- spheres of influenceAreas of dominant authority
client states · proxy · asymmetry · dependency · patronage · alliances · buffer zones · sovereignty
vassals
Feudal subordinates owing service
fealty · homage · tribute · liege · dominion · sovereignty · medieval · kingdoms · allegiance · nobility
protectorates
Territories under external control
- coloniesTerritories under foreign control
- tributariesStreams joining larger rivers
- empiresExtensive ruled territories
dominions · mandates · dependencies · client states · spheres · hegemony · British Raj · annexation · autonomy · sovereignty
hegemony
Dominant group's control
- influencePower to affect others
- satellitesBodies circling larger ones
- superpowersCapabilities beyond human limits
spheres of influence · client states · proxy · asymmetry · dependency · patronage · alliances · buffer zones · sovereignty · autonomy
suzerainsvassals
Feudal subordinates owing service
tributaries · subordinates · subjects · dependents · fiefs
suzerainsdependencies
Things required for operation
tributary states · puppet states · satellite states · colonies · dominions