substate

Substate is a term used in political science and international relations to refer to political units, authorities, or movements that operate within a sovereign state and possess some governance powers but do not have full national sovereignty. It is commonly applied to subnational governments and regional authorities as well as to organized movements or non-governmental actors that influence policy within a state's borders.

Substate entities can take many forms. In federal and devolved states, they include provinces, states, regions, cantons, or municipalities that have varying degrees of legislative authority, fiscal autonomy, and responsibility for local services. Substate actors also encompass regional or local political movements, cultural bodies, and other organizations seeking to advance regional interests. In international affairs, the term is used to describe subnational diplomacy, where substate actors engage in limited international activities through trade missions, cultural exchanges, or cross-border cooperation, while sovereignty remains with the central government.

Key distinctions center on sovereignty and jurisdiction. Substate units operate under the supreme authority of the central government but may enjoy autonomy through constitutions, statutes, or negotiated agreements. The study of substate politics examines decentralization and devolution processes, regionalism, and the ways subnational actors influence national policy, identity, and intergovernmental relations.

Examples include Scotland within the United Kingdom, Quebec and Ontario within Canada, and regions such as Catalonia in Spain, and Bavaria or Baden-Württemberg in Germany.