balkanization
UK[ˌbɔːlkənaɪˈzeɪʃən]US[ˌbɔːlkənəˈzeɪʃən]
n
the process of dividing a region or country into smaller, often hostile, units.
n
the fragmentation or division of any large, complex system into smaller, often competing parts.
Morpheme Breakdown
balkan
ization
balkan
the balkan peninsula
ization
process of making
Etymology
the term derives from the balkan peninsula, a region in southeastern europe historically characterized by intricate ethnic divisions and political fragmentation following the decline of the ottoman empire. the suffix -ization, a productive english formative, is appended to the proper noun to denote the process of causing something to become like the balkans. coined in the early 20th century, the word initially described the geopolitical subdivision of the balkan region itself. its meaning has since abstracted to describe any analogous process of disintegration, whether political, social, or economic, into smaller, mutually antagonistic units.
Analysis
Structure: balkan (the balkan peninsula) + ization (process of making)
balkan (toponym, from the balkan peninsula, via turkish); ization (suffix, from english -ize + -ation, via latin -izare and -atio, indicating the process or result of making something).
Examples
the balkanization of the former yugoslavia led to a series of devastating conflicts in the 1990s.
critics warn that the internet's evolution could lead to its balkanization, with separate networks governed by different rules.
the balkanization of the market occurred as numerous small startups fragmented the industry.