Federation

Based off some earlier posts I came up with the silly idea to use a random word generator online to provide me with a word. You’re going to have to trust me that I’ll use the first suggestion. I’m reliable, because the guilt would haunt me in my sleep. The suggested word will inspire a blog post. Let’s see where this goes, and for how long this can be interesting!

Say what you will, but this random word generator indeed generates quite random words.

Obviously, I’ve heard the word federation in my life, and had a rough idea about its meaning, but I was thinking about a definition, and after careful consideration for almost two minutes I figured that I couldn’t give one.

Wikipedia told me this: “A federation (also known as a federal state) is a political entity characterized by a union of partially self-governing provinces, states, or other regions under a central federal government (federalism).“

Makes sense. Sort of what I had in mind. What I was wondering mostly when I saw this word was ‘hmm, is the Netherlands a federation or not – considering some of the overseas regions in the Antilles.’ I wasn’t sure. After some googling, I’m still not sure.

I found out that the Netherlands has many federations. Mostly sports associations with illusions of grandeur. A governing umbrella body of sports associations. Very important stuff, you know.

I’m still unsure if the Netherlands is a federation. Does being a kingdom exclude that possibility? Isn’t a kingdom a kind of federation? If you ask me, you put a crown on a federation and you have a kingdom.

I have so many questions, yet care so little about it.

But at least now I know the exact definition of federation.

I learned something…

… and seriously hope for a more exciting word tomorrow.