uncentralized
Lacking single control
Not centralized; lacking a single point of control or authority.
Uncentralized systems distribute power or decision-making across multiple nodes rather than concentrating it: The uncentralized nature of the early internet made it resilient.
The word overlaps with decentralized, though decentralized often implies deliberate dispersal from a previously central structure, while uncentralized may simply describe something that was never centralized to begin with.
Divided and given out
- dispersedSpread widely apart
- fragmentedBroken into pieces
- polycentricHaving several centers
- devolvedDeclined in quality
disaggregated · scattered · diffused · federalized · regionalized · nonconcentrated · unconsolidated · noncentralized
Allowing coexisting differences
- heterogeneousConsisting of dissimilar elements
- variedDiffering in type
- multifariousHaving great variety
- polycentricHaving several centers
mosaic · patchwork · eclectic · mixed · composite · federated · multimodal · multipolar
Centered on local groups
- localOf this area
- participatoryInvolving active contribution
- collectiveJointly organized group
- cooperativeJointly operated enterprise
organizing · volunteerism · activism · solidarity · coalition · civic · assembly · neighborhood
Independent management of affairs
- independenceFreedom from external control
- self-determinationControl over one's fate
- sovereigntySupreme independent authority
- self-ruleGovernance without outside control
self-management · self-direction · self-reliance · empowerment · agency · federalism · subsidiarity · localism
distributed
Divided and given out
- dispersedSpread widely apart
- fragmentedBroken into pieces
- polycentricHaving several centers
devolved · disaggregated · scattered · diffused · federalized · regionalized · nonconcentrated · unconsolidated · noncentralized · disunited
pluralistic
Allowing coexisting differences
- heterogeneousConsisting of dissimilar elements
- variedDiffering in type
- multifariousHaving great variety
polycentric · mosaic · patchwork · eclectic · mixed · composite · federated · multimodal · multipolar · differentiated
community-based
Centered on local groups
- localOf this area
- participatoryInvolving active contribution
- collectiveJointly organized group
cooperative · organizing · volunteerism · activism · solidarity · coalition · civic · assembly · neighborhood · municipal
self-governance
Independent management of affairs
- independenceFreedom from external control
- self-determinationControl over one's fate
- sovereigntySupreme independent authority
self-rule · self-management · self-direction · self-reliance · empowerment · agency · federalism · subsidiarity · localism · devolution
uncentralizedcentralized
Concentrated in one location
consolidated · unified · concentrated · top-down · hierarchical
central, centralize, centralized, decentralized, decentralize, centralization, decentralization, centrally, centre