Balkanization is a pejorative term for fragmentation, or sub-fragmentation, of a larger region or state into smaller regions or states, which may be hostile or uncooperative with one another. When sponsored or encouraged by a sovereign third party, the term has been used as an accusation against such third party nations. The term has also been used by voices for the status quo to underscore the dangers of acrimonious or runaway secessionism.
