Independence is the self-government of a nation, country, or state by its residents and population, or some portion thereof, generally exercising sovereignty. The term independence is used in contrast to subjugation, which refers to a region as a "territory" —subject to the political and military control of an external government. The word is sometimes used in a weaker sense to contrast with hegemony, the indirect control of one nation by another, more powerful nation. Independence can b… (More on Independence)