Definitions: (1) having control or rule over oneself; autonomous; self-reliant; (2) characterizes a state, community, or region that is governed by its own people; democratic
Quotes:
• Art is a path on which we honor our world. As bearers of this honor, we artists do not need to simply render our world as we see it but as we might ourselves redesign it. As artists, one of our privileges is to invent. — Robert Glenn (1936-2014) Canadian painter
• That State is best which governs least. — Thomas Jefferson (1742-1826) American Statesman, 3rd President of the Unites States
Note: This is only true if the majority of individuals are morally self-governing.