self–governing

1 not being under the rule or control of another <she left home and became entirely self-governing and financially independent at the age of 18> Synonyms autonomous, freestanding, independent, self-governed, self-governing, self-ruling, separate, sovereign (also sovran)Related Words freeborn; delivered, emancipated, freed, liberated, manumitted, redeemed, released; unconquered, unruled, unsupervised; empowered, enfranchised; democratic, republicanNear Antonyms bound, captive, conquered, enslaved, fettered, subdued, subjugated; inferior, subordinate, subservientAntonyms dependent, nonautonomous, non-self-governing, subject, unfree

2 of, relating to, or favoring political democracy <a self-governing nation that could be a role model for other countries in the region> Synonyms popular, republican, self-governing, self-rulingRelated Words representative; libertarian, nontotalitarianNear Antonyms autocratic (also autocratical), despotic, dictatorial, monarchal (or monarchial), monarchical (also monarchic), tyrannical (also tyrannic)Antonyms nondemocratic, undemocratic