Balkanise


to divide (a country, territory, etc.) into small, quarrelsome, ineffectual states.
(often lowercase) to divide (groups, areas, etc.) into contending and usually ineffectual factions:
a movement to balkanize minority voters.
verb
(transitive) to divide (a territory) into small warring states
to divide (a group or organization) into small factions
v.

1920, first used in reference to the Baltic states, on the model of what had happened in the Balkans; said to have been coined by English editor James Louis Garvin (1868-1947), but A.J. Toynbee (1922) credited it to “German Socialists” describing the results of the treaty of Brest-Litovsk. Either way, the reference is to the political situation in the Balkans c.1878-1913, when the European section of the Ottoman Empire split up into small, warring nations. Balkanized and Balkanization both also are from 1920.

Read Also:

  • Balkanism

    to divide (a country, territory, etc.) into small, quarrelsome, ineffectual states. (often lowercase) to divide (groups, areas, etc.) into contending and usually ineffectual factions: a movement to balkanize minority voters. verb (transitive) to divide (a territory) into small warring states to divide (a group or organization) into small factions v. 1920, first used in reference […]

  • Balkanization

    to divide (a country, territory, etc.) into small, quarrelsome, ineffectual states. (often lowercase) to divide (groups, areas, etc.) into contending and usually ineffectual factions: a movement to balkanize minority voters. Contemporary Examples This brings us to “malkinization”‘s other virtue as a term: the allusion to “balkanization”. Twitchy! Michelle Malkin’s Phony War Tom Doran April 9, […]

  • Balkans

    pertaining to the Balkan States or their inhabitants. pertaining to the Balkan Peninsula. pertaining to the Balkan Mountains. the Balkans. Balkan States. the countries in the Balkan Peninsula: Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Greece, and the European part of Turkey. Contemporary Examples Before 9/11, America had saved Muslims […]

  • Balkar

    a member of a Sunni Muslim people living mainly in the Kabardino-Balkar Autonomous Republic in the Russian Federation, closely related to the Karachai. the Turkic language spoken by the Balkars.

  • Balked

    to stop, as at an obstacle, and refuse to proceed or to do something specified (usually followed by at): He balked at making the speech. (of a horse, mule, etc.) to stop short and stubbornly refuse to go on. Baseball. to commit a balk. to place an obstacle in the way of; hinder; thwart: a […]


Disclaimer: Balkanise definition / meaning should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. All content on this website is for informational purposes only.