Free state is a term occasionally used in the official titles of some states.
In principle the title asserts and emphasises the freedom of the state in question, but what this actually means varies greatly in different contexts:
- Sometimes it asserts sovereignty or independence (and with that, lack of foreign domination).
- Sometimes it asserts autonomy within a larger nation-state.
- Sometimes it is used as a synonym for republic but not all "free states" have been republics. While the historical German free states and the Orange Free State were republican in form, the Congo and Irish Free States were governed under forms of monarchy. The republican sense derives from libera res publica (literally, "free state")', a term used by Roman historians for the period of the Roman republic.
Famous quotes containing the words state (government), free and/or state:
“I incline to think that the people will not now sustain the policy of upholding a State GovernmentGovernmentagainst a rival government, by the use of the forces of the United States. If this leads to the overthrow of the de jure government in a State, the de facto government must be recognized.”
—Rutherford Birchard Hayes (1822–1893)
“... whilst you are proclaiming peace and good will to men, Emancipating all Nations, you insist upon retaining absolute power over wives. But you must remember that Arbitrary power is like most other things which are very hard, very liable to be broken—and notwithstanding all your wise Laws and Maxims we have it in our power not only to free ourselves but to subdue our Masters, and without violence throw both your natural and legal authority at our feet ...”
—Abigail Adams (1744–1818)
“Mother,
each time I talk to God
you interfere.
You of the bla-bla set,
carrying on about the state of letters.”
—Anne Sexton (1928–1974)