Self-governing is a hyphenated term that refers to an organization, region or country that is autonomous and has the power and ability to govern itself without external control. It is characterized by independence, sovereignty and self-rule. There are several synonyms that can be used to describe self-governing including self-regulating, self-determining, self-ruling, self-directing, self-sufficient, self-sustaining and self-supporting. All these words describe the ability of an entity to manage and control its own affairs without the need for outside intervention or assistance. Self-governing can also be described using terms like parliamentary democracy, federalism, confederacy, and autonomy. These synonyms showcase the diverse ways in which self-governing can be conceptualized and implemented in different contexts.