What is Balkanization?

Balkanization refers to the division of a larger region or state into several smaller regions or states, often weaker and hostile to one another.

Before India got independence, several proposals were put forth by the British Government, of which one was to divide India into several smaller countries.

However, Jawaharlal Nehru vehemently opposed that proposal because he felt it would result in Balkanization.

Meaning of Balkanize:

Divide (a country, territory, etc.) into smaller, quarrelsome, ineffectual states.

The origin of the word is from the political division of the Balkan countries in the early 20th century when the Balkan Peninsula was divided into several small nations .

So Balkanization is basically the division of a larger country into several small political units, which are often unfriendly to one another.