self-government

noun

1. control of the government of a state, community, or other body by its own members; democratic government.
2. the condition of being self-governed.
3. self-control.

noun

1. the government of a country, nation, etc, by its own people
2. the state of being self-controlled
3. an archaic term for self-control

n.1734, of persons; 1798, of states, from self- + government. Related: Self-governing (1680s).