Dependency | Economic Development, Globalization & Trade | Britannica (original) (raw)

dependency, in international relations, a weak state dominated by or under the jurisdiction of a more powerful state but not formally annexed by it. Examples include American Samoa (U.S.) and Greenland (Denmark). The dominant state may control some of the weak state’s affairs, such as defense, foreign relations, and internal security, and allow it autonomy in domestic affairs such as education, health, and infrastructural development.

This article was most recently revised and updated by André Munro.