Self-government, dominion, confederation and federation???

Question

I've got confused about the meanings of these words: self-government, dominion, confederation and federation. I wonder somebody could give me an explanation about the different meanings among these words. Any responses and information from you will be highly appreciated!

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

Here's a start, Jack. Looks like 'federation' and 'confederation' are pretty much the same:

'self-gov·ern·ment (slfgvrn-mnt) n.

1. Political independence; autonomy.
2. Popular or representative government; democracy.
3. Self-control.

do·min·ion (d-mnyn) n.

1. Control or the exercise of control; sovereignty: "The devil . . . has their souls in his possession, and under his dominion" Jonathan Edwards.
2. A territory or sphere of influence or control; a realm.
3. often Dominion Abbr. Dom. One of the self-governing nations within the British Commonwealth.

con·fed·er·a·tion (kn-fd-rshn) n.

1.a. The act of forming into or becoming part of a confederacy.
b. The state of being confederated.
2. A group of confederates, especially of states or nations, united for a common purpose; a league.
3. Confederation
a. The union of the British North American colonies of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and the Province of Canada, brought about July 1, 1867, under the name Dominion of Canada.
b. The federal union of all the Canadian provinces and territories, the most recent member being Newfoundland in 1949.

fed·er·a·tion (fd-rshn) n.

1. The act of federating, especially a joining together of states into a league or federal union.
2. A league or association formed by federating, especially a government or political body established through federal union.

Self-government, dominion, confederation and federation???

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